Mechell was a 6th-century abbot who established the Llanfechell monastery on Anglesey in north-west Wales. Although born in Wales, some traditions suggest he may have been of Breton origin. He is historically recognized as the founder of a local clas, an early type of Celtic monastic community. Over time, his identity became linked with Saint Machudd, a bishop of Caerwent, due to shared feast days and similar hagiographical details.
Life and miracles
According to a 17th-century Welsh poem, Mechell was the son of Echwys ab Gwyn Gohoew. The text attributes several miracles to him, such as resurrecting a giant and transforming thieves into stone. He also reportedly cured a leader after blinding him, an act of mercy that resulted in a land grant. This territory, allegedly marked by the path of a released hare, became the site of his monastery.
Veneration
The saint is commemorated on 15 November. Local tradition maintains that his remains are interred at Llanfechell. His legacy is preserved through the church and the parish that bears his name, maintaining his connection to the Anglesey landscape where he founded his monastic community.