The Claddagh Ring is a traditional Irish ring that represents love, loyalty, and friendship. I had never heard of a Claddagh Ring until my recent trip to Ireland. Once we walked into our first jewelry store and saw one in Galway I knew the Claddagh Ring was a big deal to the Irish. I had to learn more about the famous ring and what it meant.
The Irish Claddagh Ring
What is an Irish Claddagh Ring?
The Claddagh Ring is a traditional Irish ring that represents love, loyalty, and friendship. The Celtic Ring always has two hands holding a heart in the middle. There is a crown placed on top of the heart. The hands represent friendship, the heart is for love, and the crown represents loyalty.
Where is Irish Ring from?
The first Claddagh Ring was made in Galway about 400 years ago and was inspired by Roman “Fede” rings. The Gaelic word, “Cladach”, means beach or rocky shore, which symbolizes where the first Claddagh ring was made.
It’s believed that the Claddagh Ring was first made in the small fishing village of Claddagh just outside Galway City, where the River Corrib meets Galway Bay. You can still easily visit The Claddagh while exploring Galway today.
What Does the Claddagh Ring Mean?
Traditionally Claddagh Rings were given in celebration. That can mean celebrating romantic love between two partners, a promise ring between two young lovers, an engagement or wedding ring, or even an Irish friendship ring.
We’ve also seen that it can be given us a union between mother and daughter, sisters, brothers, or any combination of family loyalty. Today, many of the Irish have the Claddagh Ring for different reasons.
It’s also popular for tourists to buy Claddagh Rings, especially those with Irish Heritage, and give them to their loved ones upon returning home. The Claddagh Ring is one of the most beautiful souvenirs you can bring home from your trip to Ireland.
You can easily buy the Claddagh Ring in Galway, but they are also readily available in Dublin and other major cities in Ireland. If you can’t make it all the way to Ireland for your Claddagh Ring, you can buy one online and have it shipped!
How to Wear an Irish Claddagh Ring?
Originally Claddagh Rings were worn in The Claddagh village of Galway to show marital status. If an individual was looking for marriage and courting, they would wear the Claddagh Ring on the right hand with the heart facing out. This would show that the heart had yet to be taken. Once betrothed, the ring would be flipped, and the heart would face inwards on the right hand to show the heart had now been taken.
Once married, the ring would be switched to the left hand with the heart still facing inwards, symbolizing a wedding band and the union between two people. Even in modern times, the tradition is still very similar.
Nowadays, the two main ways to wear the Claddagh Ring are with the heart facing in or out. Traditionally, to show that your heart is taken, you would wear the Claddagh Ring with the heart facing towards you (crown away from you). If you are still open to receiving love, wear the ring with the heart bottom pointing out (crown towards you). But remember, the meaning of the Claddagh is unique to you and the person that gave it to you. You can wear the Claddagh Ring on any hand and finger.
The Claddagh Ring is not only for women. It’s very traditional for men and women to have a Claddagh Ring.
How to Pronounce Claddagh?
Cladach was originally pronounced like KLAD-UKH with a harsh ending. You watch this awesome Irish gentleman pronounce Claddagh here.
Where to Buy an Authentic Irish Claddagh Ring?
We personally got ours from Claddagh Jewellers Ireland in Galway City. They have a prime location on Eyre Square Centre, and it is extremely hard to miss at the intersection of Shop Street, High Street, and Mainguard Street.
Claddagh Jewelers are part of a family-run jewelry outlet in Ireland and have a long name in the game for over 50 years. They sell all kinds of unique Claddagh Rings ranging in many different price ranges.
Whether it be silver, gold, or platinum, they have a Claddagh Ring for you! If you want some color in your Claddagh Ring, it’s common to have gemstones placed in the heart.
You can buy men’s Claddagh Rings and women’s Claddagh Rings here. They also have cheap Claddagh Rings for under €40, so you don’t have to break the bank to buy this Irish Jewelry.
We had the opportunity to film and get all the details of the Unique Claddagh Ring at Claddagh Jewellers. Check it out here!
Quick Ireland Travel Tips
- ‘Hello’ and ‘Thank You’ in Gaelic: “Dia dhuit” and “Go raibh maith agat”
- Currency: Euro – (EUR) – €
- Visa: The Republic of Ireland & Northern Ireland are separate countries on the island of Ireland. The Republic of Ireland, known as ‘Ireland’, grants 90-day visas. Northern Ireland, a part of the United Kingdom, also grants 90 days.
- Weather: Expect lots of weather! Ireland is known for having rapid shifts in and lots of rain – it’s the only reason a country like Ireland remains so green and fertile. See our full packing list here.
- When is the best time to visit Dublin? Ireland is a fantastic country to visit year round. However, you’ll find crowds during the summer. My favorite time to visit Ireland is in September when the weather is cool and there are low crowds. Plus, it’s when the famous Galway Oyster Festival happens!
What to Pack for Ireland?
Are you wondering what to wear in Ireland? The Emerald Isle has drawn many tourists from all over the world to its shores for decades. Perhaps it’s ancestral pasts for so many Americans that draw people to Ireland. Or it could merely be the friendly locals who create such a welcoming atmosphere in a stunning country rich in heritage.
Ireland Travel Planning Resources
- Packing Guide — Check out our Ireland Packing List to help pack your bags and ensure you don’t leave anything at home.
- Rent a Car — We suggest most visitors consider renting a car for the best trip possible. Try Discover Car Hire to compare quotes from different rental agencies. Check the Price Here!
- Protect Your Trip — We don’t travel without travel insurance, and neither should you. You never know what can happen while traveling, so it’s best to be prepared. HeyMondo provides excellent short-term and long-term travel insurance plans.
- Tours in Ireland — Check out our list of the best tours you can enjoy in Ireland!
- Travel Adapter – Make sure you find a suitable adapter to keep your electronics charged. Otherwise, you may be paying for a cheap one once you land. Purchase one here.
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- The Best Things To Do in Galway
- What To Wear in Ireland – Ireland Packing List
- How To Plan A Trip To Ireland
- The Ultimate Cliffs of Moher Guide
- The Best Castles In Ireland To Visit
- How to Rent a Car in Ireland
- Tips for Driving in Ireland
- The Ultimate Cliffs of Moher Guide
- The Best Castles to Visit in Ireland
- All You Need to Know About the Claddaugh Ring
- What You Should Know About Irish Claddagh Rings
- The Galway Oyster & Seafood Festival
