The Symbol of the Claddagh Ring

Since we will be away for the weekend, I decided to post all three postings this morning...I wanted to keep on track for the "posting a day" until St. Paddy's Day, even though it is sort of cheating...

An original symbol of the fishing Kings of of Ireland's Galway town of Claddagh, whose motto was "in love and friendship let us reign," it was first fashioned into the traditional ring back in the 17th Century during the reign of Mary II. Later in the 17th century the symbol was made into a ring which became a popular gift throughout Galway.



Legend has it that Richard Joyce, bound for the West Indian slave plantations was kidnapped by a band of Mediterranean pirates and sold to a learned Moorish goldsmith who over the many long years of Joyce's exile helped him perfect the skills of a master craftsman. When in 1689 King William III negotiated the return of the slaves, Joyce returned to Galway - despite the master goldsmith's offer of his daughter's hand in marriage and a princely dowry of half of all his wealth.

Traditionally handed down as a gift from a mother and worn by her daughter on her wedding day to become a family heirloom. The Claddagh ring has also become a symbol of our ties with the past and generations gone by. Irish people remember the many who had to leave Ireland with nothing but their lives during the Great Famine of the 19th Century - many leaving from Cork harbour to make the long voyage across the Atlantic to America. The Claddagh ring was to become an enduring link with their home country and practically their only savings and family inheritance.

The hands are there for friendship, The heart is there for love. For loyalty throughout the year, the crown is raised above.

If the ring is worn on the right hand, with crown and heart facing out, this shows that the wearer is "heart whole and fancy free." While dating and under love's spell it is worn with heart and crown facing inwards (still on the right hand.)

Wearing the ring on the left hand, with the crown and heart facing inwards, signifies that your love has been given to one, and only one through marriage.

Here's a link to the original makers of the Claddagh. You can see the original design, as it has changed slightly over the years. I bought a Thomas Dillon ring from them when we were in Galway. I treasure it and wish I'd have purchased more.

http://www.claddaghring.ie/