The story of the Claddagh is based in rich Irish culture. It begins about five centuries ago in the fishing village of Claddagh, just
outside the city of Galway. |
Men of the village, much as they do today, would go out to the sea, each day, to fish for food for their families and other villagers. The sea
presented many dangers. On some days the sea was high and on others the current was strong. The greatest risk, however, was that there were pirates.
Richard, the youngest of those captured, was the most distraught. All men
had left loved ones behind, but Richard had just met his true love and now feared that he would not live to see her again. Years passed and several
of the men died. Others accepted their fate. Richard worked as a slave, but continued to long for a return to his village and to his beloved. To
keep his spirits up and to keep hope in his heart, each day Richard stole a tiny speck of gold from his slave masters in the goldsmith shop where he
tended the fires. Years passed and, with his tiny pieces of gold, he was finally able to fashion a ring. It was his hope that, despite what seemed
nearly impossible, he would return to his village and present the ring to his true love. No one really knows if Richard escaped or earned his
release from slavery, but in either event, the day finally came when Richard could begin the long trip back to his village in Ireland . . . to his home.
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There is also a lesser known and shorter tale about the origin of the Claddagh wedding band. It is told that Margaret Joyce married a wealthy
Spanish merchant who traded with Galway. He died and left her a great fortune. She returned to Galway and used her inheritance to build bridges
from Galway to Sligo. She was rewarded for her good works when an eagle dropped the original Claddagh ring into her lap.
The Claddagh design became popular as an engagement or a wedding ring. It took on even more significance when Claddagh rings began to be worn widely by women throughout Ireland, on the west coast and the islands, where it may well have been the only major "investment" in a fishing family, an heirloom handed down from mother to daughter. There even is a guide which explains the symbolism of how the ring is worn. If the ring is worn on the right hand with the heart pointing out, it means that the wearer's heart is uncommitted. Worn on the same hand with the heart pointing inward, the Claddagh ring means that the wearer's heart is taken. Worn on the left hand with the heart pointing inward, it means "Let Love and Friendship reign forever, never to be separated." Whichever version you believe, the Claddagh has a rich heritage and will surely be in vogue for many years to come. Kingston Fine Jewelry carries a wide variety of traditional Irish jewelry, including Claddagh rings. The shop offers domestic products, made in the United States, but most of the Irish jewelry is imported directly from Solvar, our supplier in Dublin." Kingston Fine Jewelry cautions buyers that they must be particularly wary when purchasing jewelry made in Ireland, where most products are made in nine carat, which is not even recognized as gold in the United States. It's for this reason that purchases should be made in reputable stores which choose to sell items in a minimum of 14 carat, which almost 60% gold. The Claddagh ring has always been and continues to be popular. It is understandably a product purchased by people with Irish heritage, but not by any means exclusively. Young people, in general, are taken by the legend and the symbolism which the ring reflects and appreciate the idea that they are buying a ring with both special history and meaning. Other Irish jewelry is also popular as gifts, in general, and at weddings, for attendants, particularly. Kingston Fine Jewelry also has jewelry in Celtic Knots. St. Brigid's Crown, the Tara Brooch, the Irish Harp, the Celtic Cross and, of course, the Shamrock. |
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