Lally - O'Maolalaidh

Arms: Argent, between three crescents azure one and two, three eagles displayed gules two and one, in beak a fructed slip proper
Crest: A buck passant proper

The O'Mullally clann come from the kingdom of Hi-Maine, a settlement made in the south-east of Connacht by Prince Maine Mor of Oriel 357 AD. The family decends from Amlaibh, the son of Fiachra Finn, who was the grandson of Maine Mor, who in turn was the g-g-grandson of Colla da Chrioch the grandson of the High King of Ireland.

Hi-Maine comprised the baronies of Ballymoe, Ballintober, South Athlone, and Moycarn in County Roscommon, and also Ballymoe, Traquin, Killian, Kilconnell, Cluainmacnowen, Longford, Leitrim, Loughrea and portions of Upper Tulla in County Clare. The land was occupied by the Firbolgs previous to the coming of the Hi-Manians, and St Grellan had built a church at Cill Cluane (Kilclooney). The new settlers first camped upon Maen Magh, which was to remain with the senior branch, the O'Neachtains and the O'Mullallys, and there they were welcomed by St Grellan who presented them with the territory on the order of St Patrick.

Thirty thousand Firbolgs, under chief Cian agreed to a peace with the Hi-Manians who were located at Bearnach na n-arm, later called Seisidh beag, in Maenmagh. Cian arranged a feast with them but planned treachery, and St Grellan from his church nearby saw the weapons of the Firbolgs and warned the Gaels. Many of the Firbolgs were lost in the bog of Magh Liach. The Hi-manians paid tribute to St Grellan and he is now patron saint of the Clann Mullally.

This brief history is based on the book 'History of the O'Mullally and Lally Clann' written by D P O'Mullally (Chicago 1941)

The Lallys are found mainly in Mayo and Galway in the 1850 Birth Indices.