CLADDAGH JEWELRY

Pronounced Clad-ahh, Claddagh comes from the Gaelic an cladach, meaning flat, stony shore. Indeed, the Claddagh village in the west of Ireland was a stony place ruled by its own king and populated by fishermen. Positioned where the Corrib River meets the Atlantic, Claddagh is now a suburb of Galway City, but when the famous crowned rings first became popular, the place was all cobble-stoned streets and thatched cottages, a place where men set off for sea and women wore rings to remember them by. .

One of these seafarers, Richard Joyce, is the first known craftsman of the Claddagh ring. On a voyage to the West Indies, Joyce was captured by Algerian pirates and held prisoner for many years in Tunis, where he learned the art of goldsmithing from his master. Freed from slavery in 1689 when William III negotiated a treaty with the Moors, Joyce resisted the temptation to marry his master’s daughter and stay in Africa. Instead, he sailed home to Galway, settling down to design and manufacture the first Claddagh ring, a gift for his sweetheart who had stayed true to him the whole time he was away. His design included two hands to symbolize their friendship, a crown to show their loyalty, and a heart to show their love. .

There are other tales of the origin of this style, including the story of Margaret Joyce (no relation). Margaret married a wealthy Spanish merchant named Domingo de Rona, and when she inherited his fortune upon his death, she put all of his riches to good use, building bridges and performing charitable works throughout Ireland’s western counties. As a reward for her generosity, an eagle is said to have flown over her and dropped the first Claddagh ring in her lap. .

The meaning of the symbols in these rings dates back to the Fede rings of Roman times. Fede means faith and fidelity was represented in ancient Roman jewelry by the symbol of two hands. Some believe the symbols of the Claddagh ring refer to the ancient Celtic Gods: the right hand of the ring represents Dagda Mor, the father of the Celtic gods, and the left hand represents Danu, the ancestral mother of the Celts, the crown represents Beathauile and the heart represents the hearts of all mankind. In the Christian interpretation, the crowned heart represents God the Father and the two hands refer to Jesus and the Holy Spirit. The Claddagh crest was said to have been used also on the sails and ships of the Claddagh fisherman to identify the Fisher Kings. .

For 300 years, the rings remained primarily an Irish phenomenon. Because of their deep symbolism and exquisite local craftsmanship, they were often given as engagement and wedding rings, then handed down from mother to daughter with the saying, “With these hands I give you my heart and I crown it with my love.” .

Worn on the right hand with the crown pointing in, the rings are a sign of friendship. Oftentimes, if a mother has given her single daughter a Claddagh ring, this is how the girl wears her ring. Worn on the right hand with the crown pointing out, the ring signifies that the heart of the ring-wearer is taken, or that the ring-wearer is willing to consider love. Worn on the third finger of the left hand with the crown pointing out, the ring signifies engagement, and if the ring is worn on the third finger of the left hand with the crown facing in, the ring-wearer is married. .

The great Irish famine of the mid 19th century caused many Irish to flee West, and this exodus spread the popularity of the Claddagh style. Over 200,000 people left Ireland each year between 1848 and 1852 and most of these emigrated to America. Portable as it was, the Claddagh ring became the only item of value that these families could hang onto. It became the children’s only inheritance and a moving reminder of the land they’d loved and left. .

In England at the time, Victoria was queen and the Claddagh ring became the only piece of jewelry made in Ireland that she ever wore. Her son, Edward VII, also sported a Claddagh ring, possibly gifted by his mother. In America, Claddagh rings have been seen on the hands of Presidents, such as John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan. Our stars have worn them as well, including John Wayne, Grace Kelly, and most recently, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, in whose sitcom the Claddagh ring played a major role. .

Royalty, celebrities and the everyday couple in love have been entranced by this style’s legacy and beauty. The Claddagh ring remains a tender gift to be given at special times, something to be worn with pride. At Jewels For Me, we have crafted many styles of the Claddagh ring, all of which can be customized with the gemstone of your choice and with white or yellow gold. In two of the rings, we have used ovals or marquis-cut stones instead of hearts, for a more contemporary take on the traditional style. A brilliant diamond shines in the crown of each of these rings, for remarkable and memorable effect.