Mountbellew is a small but growing town in County Galway about 30 miles from Galway city in the west, 18 miles from Athlone to the east, and 16 or so from Ballinasloe. Its Irish name is An Creagan, the little rock. However, it derives its modern name from the Bellew family, who are thought to have come over in the Anglo-Norman invasion, and, after many changes in their fortunes, finally acquired the lands of the Bellew estate. It was formerly known as Mountbellew Bridge, from the old bridge over the river Castlegar.