Legend has it that an Irish young man, Richard Joyce, bound for the West Indian slave plantations - no doubt the Irish Caribbean island of Montserrat  - was kidnapped himself in rough seas by a band of Mediterranean pirates and sold to a Moorish goldsmith who over the many long years of his 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, it said, the Moor's offer of the daughter's hand in marriage and a princely dowry of half of all his wealth.
Back in Ireland a young women had never stopped faithfully waiting for her true love to return. Upon which time when he presented her with the now famous  Claddagh gold ring - a symbol of their enduring love. Two hands to represent their friendship, the crown to signify their loyalty and lasting fidelity, and the  the heart to symbolise their eternal love for each other. They soon married, never to be separated again.

The Claddagh Tradition

The traditional wedding ring of the Irish since the 17th Century, the Claddagh ring is worn by people all over the world as a universal symbol of love, loyalty, friendship and fidelity.
Traditionally handed down from mother to daughter the  Claddagh ring has also become a symbol of our ties with the past and generations gone by.  Irish people remember the many many  people 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 gold Claddagh ring was to become for many the only enduring link with their home country and practically their only savings and family inheritance.
Further reflecting the troubled history of Ireland itself, a hundred years ago the Fenian ring, with two hands and two hearts, was distinguishing by its lack of a crown to represent the struggle for Republican Ireland - however the traditional  Claddagh ring has always remaining the Irish standard proudly wearing the crown as a symbol of loyalty, a remembrance of our ancient Irish Kingdoms.
Notable wearers of the Claddagh ring have included Queen Alexandria and King Edward VII of Britain and Queen Victoria of Britain and Ireland as it was then - a woman for whom the streets of Dublin where lined with cheering people. And in the little principality of Monaco, the Claddagh tradition lives on in the Royal family of Monaco and the memory of the beautiful Irish princess - Princess Grace of Monaco.

The Claddagh Symbolism

The Claddagh ring is worn by people all over the world as a symbol of love, loyalty, friendship and fidelity.
Worn on the right hand, with crown and heart facing out, the ring tells that the wearer's heart is yet to be won. While under love's spell it is worn with heart and crown facing inwards.
Wearing the ring on the left hand, with the crown and heart facing inwards, signifies that your love has been requited.
The hands are there for friendship, the heart is there for love. For loyalty throughout the year, the crown is raised above.

Wearing the Claddagh

Worn on the right hand, with crown and heart facing out, the ring tells that the wearer's heart is yet to be won. While under love's spell it is worn with heart and crown facing inwards. Wearing the ring on the left hand, with the crown and heart facing inwards, signifies that your love has been requited.

"in friendship: on the right hand, with the point of the heart towards the fingertip. Engagement: on the right hand, with heart pointing to the wrist. Marriage: on the left hand, with heart pointing to the wrist. Claddagh rings are used as wedding rings especially in Connacht."

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

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