Recently updated on March 14th, 2025 at 02:11 pm
First, have you seen this ring and second, do you know what it means? This is the Claddagh Ring, which originates from a fishing village, called Claddagh (“shore” in Irish) across the River Corrib from Galway.
This unique piece of jewelry has evolved over nearly 400 years to become deeply recognizable Irish symbol of affection.
“The ring shows two hands holding a heart which wears a crown,” is the direct explanation from Thomas Dillon’s, a Galway-based jeweler that has been making the iconic band since 1750. “This motif is explained in the phrase: “Let Love and Friendship reign.”
The hands symbolize friendship, the heart is love and the crown is fidelity or loyalty. The style of ring has been popular for centuries in Ireland and beyond as a wedding ring or love token, but, where did it come from?
The One True(est) Claddagh Ring Story
As with many elements of Ireland, there are plentiful stories and legends associated with this ring’s beginning. According to Dillon’s, the ring’s heritage is overwhelmingly associated with the Joyce family, one of the Tribes of Galway.
However – this is a tale of two Joyce’s.
There’s your first Joyce: Margaret Joyce, whose wealthy Spanish merchant husband left her his fortune in the 16th century, which she subsequently used to build bridges in the Province of Connacht. Later, after she remarries to the Mayor of Galway 1596, it is said that her bridge building generosity was recognized by an eagle flying by and dropping the golden ring onto her lap.
Then, there’s your second Joyce: Richard Joyce, whose story is perhaps the most well-recognized (and most agreed upon). This is a tale of a fisherman from the Galway Claddagh village who was captured by pirates.
He was sold in Algiers to a local goldsmith and learned the craft so well that he earned his freedom.
Joyce returns to Claddagh, sets up his own trade in Galway, and crafts a ring for the woman he had loved who was still there and waiting for him when he came home. The heart symbolized Joyce’s love for his bride, the two hands symbolized their friendship and the crown represented his fidelity to her.
Its enduring popularity and legacy of romance to this day is used to symbolize the status of one’s relationship by those who wear it – because a good love story is always in style.
How do you wear a Claddagh ring?
The little ring carries a lot of weight in the relationship market for the wearer, signifying if they are in love or married, or unattached. From This is Galway:
“If the owner of the ring wears it with the crown pointing towards the fingernail, he or she is said to be in love or married. To wear the ring with heart pointing to the fingernail, he or she is said to be unattached to anyone.”
Three Places to Buy a Claddagh ring in Galway
You may be able to find variations on the Claddagh sold all over the world, but the truest place to acquire one is in Galway
- Thomas Dillon’s Claddagh Gold: The oldest maker of Claddagh rings, operating since 1750. Unique offerings, including the original Claddagh design and museum on-site.
- Fallers Jewellers: Handcrafted Claddagh rings made in a variety of styles in Galway City, offering modern and traditional designs.
- Claddagh and Celtic Jewellery Company: Claddagh and Celtic Jewellery on Quay Street in the Latin Quarter of Galway City, all hand crafted in the workshop across the river from Claddagh.
Places to see in Ireland: Galway
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