Legends and Folklore

Purchasing a Claddagh ring is a momentous occasion that should be treasured. Customers often have many questions about what makes this iconic Irish ring so distinctive, regardless of whether you are purchasing it for yourself or as a present for someone else. In order to make the process of purchasing a Claddagh Ring easier for you, we have created a list of questions that are often asked at the time of purchase.

In honor of International Talk Like a Pirate Day let's discuss Grace O’Malley, the 16th Century Pirate Queen of Ireland. In or around the year 1530, Grace O'Malley was born in Belcare Castle near Westport Co Mayo, Ireland. She was Owen O'Malley's daughter. She was beautiful.

The bagpipes are a kind of woodwind instrument that have reeds that are enclosed and are supplied air from a bag that acts as a continual reservoir of air. Most people associate the bagpipes with Scotland, but it has a rich history with the Irish too. The Scottish Great Highland Bagpipe and the Irish Uillean Pipes are the two most popular bagpipes.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Celtic symbols and the meanings they represent are deeply ingrained in Irish history and culture. The ancient Celts carried several symbols with them to Ireland, including the Celtic Knot and the Celtic Cross. These symbols date back thousands of years. The following list provides explanations of some of the most well-known Celtic symbols.

The Mabon Celtic festival takes place on the Autumn Equinox. Mea’n Fo’mhair is the name that the Druids give to this festival, during which they pay homage to the Green Man, who is considered to be the God of the Forest, by pouring libations for the trees. At this time, it is permissible to make offerings of ciders and wines, as well as herbs and fertilizer. Mabon, like Ostara, is an equinox festival, but unlike Ostara, the emphasis of Mabon is on balance.

According to Oxford Languages the literal definition of Celtic is is relating to the Celts or their languages, which constitute a branch of the Indo-European family and include Irish, Scottish Gaelic, Welsh, Breton, Manx, Cornish, and several extinct pre-Roman languages such as Gaulish. The term “Celtic” is used to refer to persons who trace their ancestry back to one of the present Celtic territories located in the westernmost parts of Europe.

The habit of prefixing the family name with O’ or Mac is one of the most identifying characteristics of Irish surnames. This is also one of the most common prefixes. Hereditary surnames were introduced in Ireland at an early date, making it one of the pioneering nations in this regard. It is thought that many of these were developed during the time of Brian Boru, who was the High King of Ireland. They are used to this very day in many different contexts.

The stunning Celtic term “Anam Cara” may be roughly translated as “Soulmate,” and it refers to a person’s soul mate. ‘Anam’ is the Irish Gaelic term for soul, and ‘cara’ is the translation of the word for friend in Irish (Gaelic). The phrase “soul friend” comes directly from the translation. It does not just depict the coming together of two souls; rather, it expresses a connection that is highly particular and unique between two individuals.