Many of our store visitors ask us the significance of Irish Symbols, lets start with the story of the Irish Claddagh ring.

A gift of love, crafted in Ireland, the Claddagh echoes a tale of devotion retold over the centuries.

Once upon a time, so the story goes, a young Irish sailor Richard Joyce was captured by Algerian pirates and sold as a slave to a Moorish goldsmith, where he learned the trade.
Far from his native land, he held the memory of his sweetheart deep in his heart. He never forgot her.
Years later, he returned to Galway and his sweetheart was waiting for him, his gift to her was a Claddagh ring.
Forged with the skills he had learnt during his imprisonment, it was a token of his enduring love.The legend goes that he presented her with the first Claddagh ring and they were married.
"With these hands I give you my heart, and I crown it with my love".

The Claddagh is a unique area right outside the old city walls of Galway, just across the river from Spanish Arch.
It was originally a fishing village, the fisher-folk who resided there forbidden to use 'spade or hoe', and who were ruled by an elected 'King of the Claddagh'.
The Claddagh community would have the main supplier of seafood to Galway city right up until the 19th century.
It is also the home of the legend of the iconic Irish Claddagh ring ('Fáinne Chladaigh' in Irish), used in Ireland as a friendship and wedding ring.
The Claddagh symbol is a traditional design consisting of two clasped hands holding a crowned heart, and symbolises love (heart), friendship (hands) and loyalty (crown).

Did you know that how you wear your Claddagh tells others a story about you?
Traditionally, when courting, if the ring was worn on the right hand with the heart facing outwards, it showed your heart was not yet taken.
Once betrothed, the heart would now be turned inwards to show your heart was taken. Once married, the ring was worn on the left hand with the heart still turned inwards, to show love and loyalty.