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The Claddagh Story...
An original
symbol of the "Fisher Kings" of the Galway town of Claddagh,
Ireland, (pronounced clada) the design was first fashioned into
the traditional ring back in the 17th Century during the reign
of Mary II.
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 faithful waiting
for her true love to return. Upon which time when he presented
her with the now famous Royal 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
sign of the heart to symbolize 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.
As Irish people we remember the many many of our people who had to leave
Ireland with nothing but their lives during the Great Famine of the 19th
Century – many leaving from here in 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, and of our own
British heritage.
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. And in the little principalty 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.
