The claddagh has become a symbol of Ireland just as the shamrock or leprechaun has.
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Legend tell us that the claddagh ring was first forged out of love, by Richard Joyce who had been taken captive by pirates a week before he was to be married. Sold into slavery in North Africa he was taught the craft by the Moorish goldsmith who he had been sold to.
He was set free in 1689 and returned to Claddagh on the shores of Galway to the woman he loved.
Some of the common tales about the ring:
One version of the tale, tells us that Margaret Joyce married Domingo de Rona, a wealthy Spanish merchant. They soon moved to Spain, where he died, leaving her a considerable fortune. Returning to Galway she used her wealth to build bridges from Galway to Sligo, and married Oliver Og French, Major of Galway 1596-7. She was rewarded for her good works and charity by an eagle who dropped the original Claddagh ring into her lap
Another story about the Claddagh is, that the town developed the ring (originally a sigil to be painted on ships and sails) to be worn by sailors of Claddagh. When the sailors would run into other fishermen in the waters, they would check for the sigil, and if they did not find it, they would kill them.
Buy your own Claddagh
History
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The symbol is customarily worn as a wedding or engagement ring, and is traditionally handed down from generation to generation. These rings are kept as heirlooms with pride and passed from mother down to daughter.
There was a Dublin version of this Ring that appeared approximately 100 years ago with two hands and two Hearts but no Crown, this version was known as either the Dublin Claddagh or the Fenian Claddagh.
The great Famine of 1847-1849 caused a mass exodus from the West, and with that exodus spreads the legend of the Claddagh ring.
How to Wear a Claddagh
For Friendship - by placing the ring anywhere on your right hand.
After Engagement - by placing the ring on third finger of your left hand with the heart pointing outwards.
After Wedding - represented by wearing the ring on the third finger of your left hand with the heart pointing inwards towards your heart
Another popular description of the meaning is that of: The crown to the Father, the left hand to the Son, and the right hand to the Holy Ghost. This Explanation is directly correlative to the Shamrock, one of the Earliest Symbols of the Holy Trinity among the Irish.
Some jewelers marks found on Claddagh Rings from the latter part of the 17th to the early part of the 18th century.
RI RICHARD JOYCE, GALWAY
GR GEORGE ROBINSON, GALWAY
AR ANDREW ROBINSON, GALWAY
NB NICHOLAS BURDGE, GALWAY
F AUSTIN FRENCH, GALWAY
JD RD WD DILLON
JS ?JOHN SHADWELL
TH unknown
