The Claddagh

Click here for the Mother Claddagh.

Click here for the Fenian Claddagh.

The romantic history of the claddagh ring.

The story starts with a man named Richard Joyce. A fisherman who was due to be married but was captured by pirates and sold into slavery in Algeria.

He became the property of a rich Moorish goldsmith who put him to work. 

During this work Joyce became a master craftsman however, and with the yearning he had for the girl he left behind back home, he made the first Claddagh ring. 

The heart symbolising love.

The hands representing friendship.

The crown for loyalty.

With an agreement by King William III to release all held in slavery, Joyce was a free man again.

His master, who had become fond of him in their time together offered him his daughter in marriage along with half his wealth if he would stay. Joyce declined, and headed home to Galway.

He found there his love, who had waited all that time for his return. He gave her the Claddagh and they married.

Over time the Claddagh ring has been passed down through generations and its spread increased by the huge migration from Ireland during the great famine in 1845-1849.

Today it is worn by many as a symbolism of love… love for each other, and also for Ireland.