A Little Claddagh Ring History A Little Claddagh Ring History

Many tales exist about the history as well as the design of the first Claddagh Ring. Following is the most probable and the most traditionally correct, and oh yes, most romantic, let's not forget romantic, after all is not that what the Claddagh ring symbolizes, Love.

Not far precedent the cobblestoned streets of Galway, across the Wolfe Tone Bridge and upon the stretches of Galway Bay, there lies Claddagh, a small fishing village inside Ireland. This is where the story begins over three hundred years in the past.

A young man named Richard Joyce from Galway, left his home, and his true love, to seek his fortune. While on a passage into the Mediterranean, he was captured by a mob of Algerian pirates and sold as a slave to a Moorish goldsmith. All through his enslavement and numerous years of captivity, he worked under the Moorish goldsmith who trained him his craft. He grew to become an expert in working with precious metals and while the years went by Richard Joyce became a master of his trade (Goldsmith), perfecting the skill of jewelry creation and earning the admiration and respect of his Moorish master.

When William III became King of England in 1689, he made an accord with the Moors that all his subjects who were held in imprisonment were to be allowed to go back to their homes. The Moor master presented Richard Joyce numerous incentives to stay, including the hand of his daughter in marriage. Although Richard refused.... for his heart, and the woman he cherished still remained in Ireland.

After eight long years Richard Joyce came back to his native Ireland and to his great happiness found that his love had remained true to him through all those years. He fashioned for her a wedding ring symbolic of their love, two hands on behalf of their friendship, a crown signifying their faithfulness, and a heart for their love.

Richard Joyce wedded his beloved and presented the first Claddagh Ring to her as her wedding ring. They lived happily ever after.... never to be parted again.

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