What is a Claddagh
Claddagh itself refers to a small fishing village just near Galway city. The Claddagh ring supposedly originated in this area. As legend has it, the town developed the Claddagh, 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 or chase them away.
What Is A Claddagh?
The Claddagh is a design of a heart being encircled by a pair of delicate hands with a crown above the heart. It is a symbol of love and friendship. The hands signify friendship, the crown loyalty, and the heart love.The Claddagh ring originated in Claddagh, said to be the oldest fishing village in Ireland. Today, the Claddagh 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. 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. 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. Black Irish Return to the Celtic Creations Gallery CLADDAGH stained glass claddagh Ireland. Irish Village SEA Fishing Village coast Claddagh Knots. Celtic Knot work Celtic Claddagh Celtic Knots Stained Glass Sigil Sailors Village of Claddagh. Dublin Claddagh Ring Fishermen Fishing Village Richard Joyce Moorish goldsmith Galway pirates. |
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 Mediterranian 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). |
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