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The Claddagh Ring – A Celtic Treasure

The Claddagh ring, originating from the Irish word, fáinne Chladaigh (fawn-yuh khlah-duh), is a tradiational Irish ring given in friendship and for love. Claddagh itself is a lovely little fishermen village across the Wolfe Tone Bridge on the Galway Bay and a neighbor to Galway City, Ireland. Though the town of Claddagh is a former image of itself, its memory lives steadily on through the alluring Claddagh ring.

History of the Claddagh Ring

There are a few different theories as to the origination of the Claddagh ring, originally known as the Galway ring. The first theory is that a neighboring resident of Galway by the name of Richard Joyce was taken captive by Algerians and sold into slavery to a Moorish Goldsmith and then was later released by William III of England in 1689. King William III demanded that all British subjects be released from slavery and the Moorish goldsmith offered up his daughter and wealth if Joyce would remain in Algiers. Supposedly, Joyce refused all offers and stole back to his original city of Galway. It is said that Richard Joyce became an independent jeweler and inventor of the Claddagh ring.

The second theory revolves around a Margaret Joyce who inherited money from her deceased husband Domingo De Rona, a wealthy Spanish Merchant that frequently traded with the city of Galway in Ireland. Margaret Joyce later remarried the Mayor of Galway, Oliver Og French, in 1596. The mayor and his new wife used the wealth she had inherited from her late husband, to build up the bridges in Connacht. Supposedly, the Claddagh ring was a reward for her generosity that an eagle flying overhead dropped into her lap.

While the people of Claddagh were known for their dislike of anything new, they readily adopted this unique piece of jewelry. The truth to the stories is unknown, there is little in the way of facts or proof verifying the accounts. One of the only things known to be true, is that the Claddagh ring is one of the most famous types of Irish jewelry.

What is a Claddagh Ring?

What makes a Claddagh ring a Claddagh ring, is the following: a pair of hands cupping a heart, adorned with a crown; the heart is symbolic of love, loyalty of the crown, and the hands symbolic of friendship. The purpose of the ring is actually quite ranged. It is believed that the original purpose was to show martial status, but these days they are also given in friendship and as gifts for events like Mother’s day.

Traditionally, the Claddagh ring is worn on the right or left hand in a few different ways. If you are single, your heart would still be searching for its match. To indicate this single status it is worn on the right hand; the crown top faces the wearer and the heart faces out to show that your heart is not yet won. To show that you are in a relationship (being courted), the Claddagh ring is worn on the right hand with the heart facing the owner and the crown top facing out, shielding the heart. To show that you are engaged, the Claddagh ring is worn on the left hand with the heart facing out and the crown facing in. Lastly, when married the Claddagh ring becomes a wedding band that must be worn on the left hand with the heart facing in, the crown once again protecting the heart from others. Today, Claddagh rings are lovely intricate rings with a charming, mystical background from the rolling green hills of Ireland.