The Claddagh Ring
The traditional wedding ring of the Irish since the 17th Century, the Royal Claddagh Ring is worn as a symbol of love, loyality, friendship, fidelity and Irish Heritage. Love is symbolized by the heart, friendship by the hands then loyalty and lasting fidelity by the crown.
Wearing the ring on the right hand, with the crown and heart facing out symbolizes that the wearers heart is free to be won. If dating and in love the ring is still worn on the right hand but with heart and crown facing inwards. Wearing the ring on the left hand, with the crown and heart facing inwards signifies that the wearer has given their love to one and got married. The expression which was associated with these symbols in the giving of the ring was ‘Let love and friendship reign’. One phrase linked to the romantic side of the ring’s symbolism is ‘With these two hands, I give you my heart, and crown it with my love’.
According to legend Richard Joyce, bound for the West Indian slave plantations was kidnapped by a gang of Mediterranean pirates. He was then sold to a Moorish goldsmith who during his long years of exile helped Joyce perfect the skills of a Master Craftsman.
King William III bartered the release of the slaves in 1989, Joyce returned to Galway despite the Goldsmiths offer of his daughter’s hand in marriage and a handsome dowry. There he settled in a fishing village called Claddagh, married his first true love and had a fruitful business as a goldsmith, producing the Claddagh Ring.
Traditionally handed down from mother to daughter as a family hierloom, the Royal Claddagh Ring has become a symbol of 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 Americia. The Royal Claddagh ring became a permanent link with their home country and family inheritiance.
Sláinte
Hello Fionnuala, I enjoyed your artical on Claddagh Ring, thanks for the info, great site
January 29th, 2008 at 9:42 am