My Cuppa Irish Tea: Galway - Home of the Claddagh Ring

In Galway you will see every jewelry store advertising the Claddagh ring. I never knew until I researched this last week that the ring is from Galway. The ring is believed to have originated from the fishing village near the "shore" or "claddagh" of Galway Bay. When I looked up the definition of claddagh in the Oxford Dictionary is says: former village across the Corrib River from Galway City, Ireland. I never knew that is what "claddagh" actually meant.

There seems to be a variety of legends about the origins of the ring. These two theories seem to be the most popular so maybe it might be the most accurate. Who knows!

First Theory: Margaret Joyce inherited a large sum of money from her late husband. He was a wealthy Spanish merchant trading with Galway. She later married the Mayor of Galway and used her inherited wealth to construct many bridges in the area. The first Claddagh ring was supposed to be her reward and was dropped by an eagle into her lap.

Second Theory: A native of Galway, Richard Joyce was captured by Algerians and sold as a slave to a Moorish goldsmith. In 1689 William III of England demanded the release of all British subjects and Richard Joyce was released from slavery too. The Moorish goldsmith offered Richard Joyce a major portion of his wealth and also his only daughter in marriage, if he agreed to stay in Algeria. The story goes, Richard Joyce refused all the offers and returned to Galway with the first Claddagh ring.

The meaning of the claddagh ring is what gives the ring it's significance. The hands of the ring are shown hold the heart, and the hands mean friendship and togetherness, the heart itself signifies love, and the crown in the claddagh stands for loyalty. Most people summarize it has, "Let Love and Friendship reign."

There are traditions on how to wear the ring. If the person wears it with the crown pointing towards the fingers, he or she is said to be in love or married. To wear the ring with the heart pointing to the finger, he or she is said to be unattached to anyone.

Jewelers all over the place make their own versions of Claddagh rings but Thomes Dillions is the original maker still in existence since 1750 making the original ring.