History

• The ring gets its name from the village of Claddagh, a small Irish fishing town near Galway. "Claddagh" comes from the Gaelic phrase "An Cladach," which means "flat stony shore," a reference to the village's landscape. Though these facts are widely accepted, there are two theories as to the Claddagh ring's actual invention. One story involves Richard Joyce, a man who was said to be captured by pirates and sold into slavery. While he was enslaved, he learned how to work as a goldsmith, and upon his return to Ireland, he supposedly created the Claddagh ring. The other version involves a woman named Margaret Joyce who inherited a fortune when her husband died. She used the money to help Ireland's infrastructure by financing the construction of bridges. The ring is said to have been dropped into her lap by an eagle as a token of gratitude from Ireland.
  
  

Significance

• The direction that the Claddagh ring points to and which hand it is worn on are two significant factors. If a woman is married or engaged, the ring should be worn on the left hand's ring finger with the heart, hands and crown facing the person. If a woman is open to a relationship or falling in love, the ring is worn on the right hand's ring finger with the icons facing in the same manner. If a woman is not interested in a relationship, the ring is worn on the right ring finger and the icons face away from the person. Worn in this manner, the crown will be closest to the base of your hand. When worn to symbolize that someone is either married, engaged or open to a relationship, the crown would be closest to a knuckle.
  
  

Features

• The Claddagh ring is often handed down from generation to generation, given to a romantic partner or given as a gesture of friendship. The heart in the center of the ring stands for love, the hands holding up the heart stand for friendship and the crown that sits on top of the crown stands for loyalty. When given to someone, the gesture means that, "with my hands I give you my heart, and crown it with my love."
  
  

Function

• Claddagh rings can be found throughout North America and Europe, though they are primarily worn by the Irish. In Irish culture, the Claddagh ring often functions as an engagement and wedding ring, taking the place of the traditional diamond solitaire ring and matching band. The Claddagh ring can, however, take on some characteristics of the standard wedding band set. It's usually made of gold, silver or platinum; some Claddagh rings, when used as wedding bands, incorporate diamonds into the design.
  
  

Considerations

• Though Claddagh rings are usually given to women as a sign of love or friendship, Irish men also wear the rings. When used as a male wedding band, Claddagh rings are usually thicker and flatter in design, meaning that the crown, hands and heart flatten out at the top of the band. A woman's Claddagh ring will typically have more height, with the crown being the tallest element and the fingers of the hands shaping the bottom of the ring.