The Claddagh Ring is believed to have originated in the fishing village
situated near the "Claddagh" in Galway at the mouth of the River Corrib.
The Claddagh situated outside the City walls, and further separated
by the Corrib River was an exclusive community of fisher-folk and ruled
by a periodically electing "King" whose sole distinguishing mark was his
right to use a white sail on his fishing boat.
The Claddagh Ring shows two hands holding a heart which wears a crown.
This motif is explained in the phrase: "Let Love and Friendship reign",
an ideal poesy for a wedding ring used by a small community for over four
hundred years.
This distinctive design is associated with one of the Tribes of Galway,
the Joyce family. Margaret Joyce married Domingo de Rona, a wealthy Spaniard,
who, when he died, left her his fortune, which she subsequently used to
build bridges in the Province of Connacht.
Margaret, who later married Oliver Óg Ffrench, Mayor of Galway
1596, was providentially rewarded for her good works and charity by an
eagle which dropped a golf ring into her lap. This fanciful legend has
a more factual opponent in the story of Richard Joyces.
Richard en route to the West Indies, was captured by Algerian corsairs
and sold as a slave to a Moorish goldsmith who trained him.
Released from slavery in 1689, at the demand of William III of England,
Joyce, in spite of substantial inducement to stay, returned to Galway and
set up as a goldsmith. His work marked with an anchor signifying Hope and
initials R.I. still exists.
The Claddagh Ring motif is attributed to him.
The Claddagh Ring became popular outside the Claddagh about the middle
of the last century, especially as it was the only ring made in Ireland
worn by Queen Victoria and later Queen Alexandra and King Edward VII.
These rings were made and supplied by Dillon of Galway, to whom the
Royal Patent was granted. This tradition has been carried on to this day.
On the occasion of the visit of Our Lady's Choral Society to Monaco
in 1962, a brooch and cuff-links in 18 carat gold, embodying the Claddagh
motif, and set with Connemara marble, were presented to Their Serene Highnesses,
Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco.
Many firms make different versions of the Claddagh Ring. Dillon of Galway
is the only firm still in existence since 1750 making the Original Claddagh
Ring at No 1, William Street, Galway.
The ring grows daily in popularity because of its unique design, peculiar
history, sentimental appeal and close association with the ancient Claddagh
of Galway on the River Corrib.
Showing two hands clasping a heart which wears a crown, the ring symbolizes
the supreme power of love. Traditionally when worn with the heart facing
inwards, the Ring declares that the person's heart is spoken for. Facing
outwards, the Ring invites romance.
The Claddagh Ring is one of Ireland's most romantic and enduring traditions.
Where the clear crystal waters of the River Corrib meet Galway Bay there
once was a small fishing village called The Claddagh. It is therefore not
surprising that this beautiful village rich in folklore and tradition gave
to the world a wonderful symbol of love, friendship and loyalty - the Claddagh
Ring.
There are many stories about the Claddagh ring. The ring has a design
of a heart being encircled by a pair of delicate hands with a crown above
the heart. In earlier times this design was the symbol of the "Fishing
Kings of Claddagh" meaning 'in love and friendship let us reign'. In the
17th century the symbol was first depicted on a ring which became the fashionable
exchange of friends or lovers. In marriage the heart was worn towards the
wrist otherwise towards the fingertips.
It is believed that the first maker of the ring was Richard Joyce around
1690. Up to this date, Joyce had been captive in Tunis where he acquired
his noted skills as a goldsmith. When William III came to the throne of
England, he concluded an agreement whereby all his subjects who where held
in captivity by the Moors were to be allowed return to their homes. Joyce
returned to Galway and is said to have crafted the first Claddagh Ring.
From this beginning the ring grew to be very popular in the Claddagh
Village and then throughout the County of Galway. It became customary for
the ring to be worn as a wedding or engagement ring and the rings were
handed down from generation to generation.
There are many modern versions of the Claddagh Ring. Here are some folk
legends about the Claddagh from the FAQ of soc.culture.irish.
(a)
Way back in the sandy mists of time, so the story went, it seemed as
there was this king. This king was madly in love with a peasant woman,
but as she was of a lower class the love had to go unrequited. In dread
despair the king killed himself and had his hands lopped off and placed
around his heart as a symbol of his undying love for the woman.
(b)
It symbolises love (heart), friendship/faith (hands) and loyalty (crown).
Two hands Joined together in love and Crowned by the Glory of Christ.
(d)
There was a Dublin version of this Ring that appeared some 100 years
back with two hands and two Hearts but No Crown Some call this Version
the Fenian Claddagh.
(e)
The Crown to The Father, The Left hand to the Son, and the Right Hand
the the Holy Ghost. This Explanation is directly Correlative to the Shamrock,
one of the Earliest Symbols of the Holy Trinity among the Irish.
(f)
Some will say Beathauile is the Crown, Anu is the Left hand, and the
Dagda Mór is the Right hand and the Heart is the Hearts of all mankind
and that which gives the everlasting music to the Gael.
(g)
As legend has it, the town developed the ring (originally a sigil to
be painted on ships and sails) to be worn by sailors of Claddagh. When
these sailors would run into other fishermen in their waters, they would
check for the sigil, and if they did not find it, they would kill them.
(h)
The original Claddagh ring is generally attributed to one Richard Joyce,
a native of Galway, who while being transported as a slave to the plantations
of the West Indies was captured by Mediterranean pirates and sold to a
Moorish goldsmith who trained him in his craft. In 1689 he was released
and returned to Galway and set up his shop in the Claddagh. (The Claddagh
is said to be the oldest fishing village in Ireland). By tradition the
ring is taken to signify the wish that Love and Friendship should reign
supreme. The hands signify friendship, the crown loyalty, and the heart
love. The ring has become popular outside Connamera since the middle of
the last century- its spread being helped by the vast exodus from the West
during the great Famine in 1847-49. These rings were kept as heirlooms
with great pride and passed from mother to daughter. Today, the ring is
worn extensively across Ireland, either on the right hand with the heart
turned outwards showing that the wearer is "fancy free" or with the heart
turned inwards to denote that he or she is "spoken for". The pride of place
is on the left hand, with the heart turned in, indicating that the wearer
is happily married.
Thanks to Fiona for looking all this up!
© 1997 ceridwennight@geocities.com
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