Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Claddaghs

The Claddagh Story is Irish folklore steeped in tradition and romance.

Irish Claddagh Blessing
As you might have heard, there is an old Irish saying about the claddagh ring. "With These hands, I give you my heart and crown it with my love."

How Do You Wear A Claddagh Ring?

• To wear a Claddagh ring on the right hand with the crown turned outwards, away from you indicates that the wearer is single.
• To wear a Claddagh ring on the right hand with the crown turned inward, towards you symbolizes that the wearer is being courted in a relationship.
• To wear a Claddagh ring on the left hand with the crown turned outwards, away from you indicates a romantic engagement.
• To wear a Claddagh ring on the left hand with the crown turned inward, towards you on the left hand indicates marriage.

What is the Story of The Claddagh?

As you know The Claddagh Ring story is a wonderful Irish folklore. Imagine Ireland in the days long ago, when a young man was captured and sold into slavery from the fishing village of Claddagh. Can you imagine how many years passed while he wondered if his true love waited? As the years wore on, he stole tiny bits of gold from his master to make her a ring. He fashioned a heart for love, a crown for loyalty, and hands as a symbol of friendship. Can you just picture the tiny first claddagh ring being made? After many years, he returned home to the village of Claddagh, Ireland. To his magical delight, he discovered his true love had waited for him. He gave her the ring as a symbol of love, loyalty, and friendship, forever known now as the Claddagh Ring. The Claddagh ring is a beautiful piece of Irish jewelry.

How do you pronounce Claddagh?

The Irish word Claddagh is pronounced [klah-duh]. It is also called a fáinne Chladaigh in Irish or in Gaelic the Cladach pronounced [klad-ukh]. Pronouncing the word Claddagh is now more commonly pronounced without the Gaelic accent as simply [klad-uh].

What is the meaning of the Claddagh?

The traditional Irish Claddagh ring is a symbol of friendship, love, and loyalty. The hands of the claddagh ring stand for friendship. The heart of the claddagh ring stands for love and the crown is a symbol of loyalty.

Who can give a claddagh ring?

In Ireland, it is traditional for mothers to hand down claddagh rings to their daughters. Although Claddagh Rings are traditionally given by a loved one as a symbol of love, loyalty, and friendship. The truth is, anyone can buy a claddagh.

What is a Fenian Claddagh?

The Fenian Claddagh, also known as the Dublin Claddagh Ring. This version of the Claddagh Ring with two hands holding a heart and no crown was made in Dublin in the 1800's. It became known as the Fenian Claddagh Ring or the Dublin Claddagh Ring. The Fenian Claddagh Ring belongs to a style of European finger rings called fede rings, used as engagement rings in medieval and Renaissance Europe. The name Fede comes from the Italian phrase "mani fede," meaning hands joined in faith.