He is believed to have been a native of Iararna to the south east of the Aran Islands[1] but he might also have been a foreign missionary associated with St. Patrick or St. Palladius.
Places associated with him include An Cartrún, Baile na Cille, some three km north of Cleggan.
A second church dedicated to him is located on Inishmore, which, according to Previte, "is considered to be one of the most ancient and perfect of all the ecclesiastical remains on the island".
The tradition stated that this infuriated a local king, who seized him and had him beheaded close to the eastern extremity of Cleggan.
From this incident the village is supposed to derive its name, although An Cloigeann (meaning head or skull), apparently refers to a coastal headland.