Origins of the Claddagh Ring & How to Wear a Claddagh Ring
The Claddagh ring is a traditional Irish ring, given in friendship or worn as a wedding ring.
The design and customs associated with it originated in the Irish fishing village of Claddagh,
located just outside the old walls of the city of Galway. The ring was first produced in the 17th
century during the reign of Queen Mary II, though elements of the design are much older.
The Claddagh's distinctive design features two hands clasping a heart, and usually surmounted by
a crown. The elements of this symbol are often said to correspond to the qualities of love
(the heart), friendship (the hands), and loyalty (the crown). The expression which was associated
with these symbols in the giving of the ring was: "Let love and friendship reign."
There are a variety of legends about the origins of the ring
One tale is about Margaret Joyce, a woman of the Joyce clan. She married a Spanish merchant named
Domingo de Rona. She went with him to Spain, but he died and left her a large sum of money. She
returned to Ireland and, in 1596, married Oliver Ogffrench, the mayor of Galway. With the money
she inherited from her first marriage, she funded the construction of bridges in Connacht. All
this out of charity, so one day an eagle dropped the Claddagh ring into her lap, as a reward.
Another story tells of a Prince who fell in love with a common maid. To convince her father his
feelings were genuine and he had no intentions of "using" the girl, he designed a ring with hands
representing friendship, a crown representing loyalty, and a heart representing love. He proposed
to the maid with this ring, and after the father heard the explanation of the symbolism of the ring,
he gave his blessing.
One legend that may be closer to historical truth is of a man named Richard Joyce, another member
of the Joyce clan and a native of Galway. He left his town to work in the West Indies, intending
to marry his love when he returned. However, his ship was captured and he was sold as a slave to a
Moorish goldsmith. In Algiers, with his new master, he was trained in his craft. When William III
became king, he demanded the Moors release all British prisoners. As a result, Richard Joyce was
set free. The goldsmith had such a great amount of respect for Richard Joyce that he offered Joyce
his daughter and half his wealth if Joyce stayed, but he denied his offer and returned home to marry
his love who awaited his return. During his time with the Moors, he forged a ring as a symbol of his
love for her. Upon his return, he presented her with the ring and they were married.
“Several individuals of this name have long felt grateful to the memory of William III from
the following circumstance, on the accession of that monarch to the throne of England. One of the
first acts of his reign was to send an ambassador to Algiers to demand the immediate release of all
the British subjects detained there in slavery. The dey and council, intimidated, reluctantly complied
with this demand. Among those released was a young man of the name of Joyes, a native of Galway, who
fourteen years before was captured on his passage to the West Indies by an Algerian Corsair; on his
arrival at Algiers, he was purchased by a wealthy Turk who followed the profession of a goldsmith.
Observing his slave Joyes to be tractable and ingenious he instructed him in his trade in which he
speedily became an adept. The Moor, as soon as he heard of his release, offered him, in case he should
remain, his only daughter in marriage and with her half his property. All these, with other tempting and
advantageous proposals, Joyes resolutely declined; on his return to Galway he married and followed the
business of a goldsmith with considerable success.” - James Hardiman
The Irish Potato Famine (1845–1849) caused many to emigrate from Ireland, and the Claddagh ring
spread along with the emigrants to the United States and elsewhere. Now the design is worn
worldwide. These rings are often considered heirlooms, and passed on from mother to daughter
as well as between friends and lovers.
How to Wear a Claddagh Ring
The way that a Claddagh ring is worn on the hand is usually intended to convey the wearer's
romantic availability, or lack thereof. Traditionally, if the ring is on the right hand with
the design facing outward and away from the body, this indicates that the person wearing the
ring is not in any serious relationship, and may in fact be single and looking for a relationship.
When worn on the right hand but with the design facing inward toward the body, this indicates the
person wearing the ring is in a relationship, or that "someone has captured their heart". A Claddagh
worn on the left hand ring finger, facing outward away from the body, generally indicates that the
wearer is engaged. When the ring is on the left hand ring finger and facing inward toward the body,
it generally means that the person wearing the ring is married.
Want to learn more? Watch 'The Story
Behind the Claddagh Ring,' an RTÉ news feature.
|
