A Claddagh ring (Irish: fáinne an Chladaigh) is a traditional Irish ring with three main parts: a heart to show love, a crown to show loyalty, and two hands that are held together to represent friendship. The design and traditions of the ring came from Claddagh, a place in County Galway. The modern version of the ring was first made in the 17th century. Claddagh rings were used as engagement and wedding rings during the medieval and Renaissance periods in Europe. The oldest Claddagh rings that still exist were made by Bartholomew Fallon.

Description

The Claddagh ring is part of a group of European finger rings known as fede rings. The name comes from the Italian phrase "mani in fede," which means "hands joined in faith" or "hands joined in loyalty." These rings date back to Ancient Rome, where people used the gesture of clasping hands to show they were making promises. Made by cutting or casting metal into bezels, they were used as engagement and wedding rings in medieval and Renaissance Europe to represent a promise to marry.

In recent years, these rings have been decorated with twisted patterns and combined with other Celtic and Irish symbols, as they became more widely recognized as a symbol of Irish identity.

Origins

Galway has been making Claddagh rings since at least the year 1700, but the name "Claddagh ring" was not used until the 1830s. While many stories exist about how the ring began, it is most likely that it originated in or near the small fishing village of Claddagh in Galway.

Bartholomew Fallon was an Irish goldsmith in Galway during the 17th century. He made Claddagh rings until about the year 1700. His name first appeared in the will of a jeweler named Dominick Martin, dated January 26, 1676. In this will, Martin gave Fallon some of his tools. Fallon continued working as a goldsmith until 1700. His rings are among the oldest surviving examples of the Claddagh ring, and many of them have his signature.

There are many stories about how the Claddagh ring began, especially about Richard Joyce, a silversmith from Galway around the year 1700. One story says Joyce was captured and enslaved by Algerian pirates around 1675 while traveling to the West Indies. He was sold to a Moorish goldsmith, who taught him the craft. Later, King William III sent an ambassador to Algeria to ask for the release of British people held there, including Joyce. After 14 years, Joyce was freed and returned to Galway. He brought back a ring he had made during his time in captivity, which became known as the Claddagh ring. He gave the ring to his love, married, and became a successful goldsmith. His initials appear on one of the earliest surviving Claddagh rings. Three other rings from around the same time have the mark of a goldsmith named Thomas Meade.

In the Victorian era, a historian named Sir William Jones wrote about the Claddagh ring in his book Finger-Ring Lore. He cited Chambers' Book of Days as the source. In 1906, William Dillon, a Galway jeweler, wrote that the Claddagh ring was worn in the Aran Isles, Connemara, and other areas. During the Victorian period, knowledge of the ring and its traditions spread in Ireland and Britain, and this is when the name "Claddagh ring" became widely known. Galway jewellers started selling the ring outside the local area in the 19th century. More recognition came in the 20th century.

Usage and symbolism

The Claddagh ring has a unique design with two hands holding a heart, and a crown is often placed on top. These parts represent love (the heart), friendship (the hands), and loyalty (the crown). A version of the Claddagh ring called the Fenian Claddagh ring does not have a crown. This design is less common than the version with a crown. Claddagh rings are widely used by people of Irish heritage, including Irish Americans, as symbols of culture, friendship, engagement, and wedding rings.

Claddagh rings are often used as engagement and wedding rings, though they can also be friendship rings. Sometimes, mothers give these rings to their daughters when they reach adulthood. The rings are connected to sayings like "Let love and friendship reign." In Ireland, the United States, Canada, and other places where Irish people live, the Claddagh ring is sometimes passed from mother to eldest daughter or from grandmother to granddaughter.

According to Irish author Colin Murphy, the way a Claddagh ring is worn shows the wearer’s relationship status:
1. On the right hand with the heart pointing toward the fingertips: the person is single and may be looking for love.
2. On the right hand with the heart pointing toward the wrist: the person is in a relationship.
3. On the left ring finger with the heart pointing toward the fingertips: the person is engaged.
4. On the left ring finger with the heart pointing toward the wrist: the person is married.

In Ireland and among Irish communities worldwide, there are other traditions about which hand or finger the Claddagh ring is worn. Stories about the ring are not ancient but are based mostly on spoken traditions. There is very little written information in Irish about the ring, which makes it hard to find reliable, non-commercial sources that explain the traditional ways of wearing it.

Modern usage

The Claddagh ring is often worn by important people, including political leaders, famous actors, and well-known authors. American presidents John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, and Bill Clinton have all worn the ring. Kennedy and his wife received theirs during a visit to Galway, Ireland, in 1963. Reagan and Clinton both received the rings as gifts from Ireland. British royalty, such as Queen Victoria, King Edward VII, and Queen Alexandra, wore the Claddagh ring after 1849 when they traveled to Ireland. Walt Disney was seen wearing the ring after visiting Ireland with his wife. The ring can also be seen on the Partners statue at Disney World. On the statue, Disney’s ring is facing outward, even though he was married.

The Claddagh ring is also worn by actors like Maureen O'Hara and John Wayne, who received theirs during the movie The Quiet Man. Peter O'Toole and Daniel Day-Lewis have often been seen wearing the ring, as have Mia Farrow and Gabriel Byrne. Jim Morrison and Patricia Kennealy used Claddagh rings during their traditional Irish wedding. Liam and Noel Gallagher, members of the English rock band Oasis, are of Irish heritage and have worn matching Claddagh rings.

In the television show Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the Claddagh ring appears when the character Angel gives one to Buffy as a birthday gift.