The History of the Claddagh Ring: A Guide to Meaning, Myths, and Where to Buy It in Galway

If you walk down Shop Street in the The Latin Quarter & Spanish Arch, you will see one symbol repeated in every window: Two hands holding a heart, surmounted by a crown.

This is the Claddagh Ring.

For millions of Irish-Americans, this ring is a cherished heirloom, passed down from grandmother to granddaughter. It is the universal Irish symbol of love, loyalty, and friendship.

But the Claddagh ring is not just a piece of jewelry; it is a piece of Galway history. It originated right here, in a tiny fishing village just outside the city walls. And the story of its creation involves pirates, slavery, and a King of England.

If you are planning to buy a ring while in The American’s Guide to Galway: The City of Tribes & The Wild West, you need to know what you are looking for. This guide will explain the symbolism, the "secret code" of wearing it, and how to ensure you are buying an authentic piece of Galway gold.

1. The Symbolism: Heart, Hands, and Crown

The design of the Claddagh ring is a "Fede" ring (from the Italian mani in fede, or "hands joined in faith"). These rings date back to Roman times, but the Galway version added unique elements that give it specific meaning:

1. The Heart: Represents Love.
2. The Hands: Represent Friendship.
3. The Crown: Represents Loyalty.

The motto associated with the ring is often cited as: "Let Love and Friendship reign."

2. The Secret Code: How to Wear It

One of the most popular aspects of the Claddagh ring is that it acts as a medieval relationship status update. How you wear the ring on your finger tells the world if you are single, dating, or married.

Here are the four rules you must follow:

On the Right Hand:

• Heart facing OUT (toward the fingertips): You are Single and your heart is open to love.
• Heart facing IN (toward the wrist): You are in a Relationship (someone has "captured" your heart).

On the Left Hand:

• Heart facing OUT: You are Engaged.
• Heart facing IN: You are Married.

Note: Traditionally, the ring was often used as a wedding band in the Claddagh village, a custom that has spread worldwide.

3. The Legend: Pirates and the Goldsmith

Who invented the ring? While there are several myths, the most historically accepted story belongs to a man named Richard Joyce.

Joyce was a Galway man from one of the wealthy "Tribes" families (See The Latin Quarter & Spanish Arch) for more on the Tribes). In roughly 1675, he was sailing to the West Indies when his ship was captured by Algerian Corsairs (Barbary pirates).

The Slave Years

Joyce was sold into slavery in Algiers. He was bought by a Moorish goldsmith, who noticed the young Irishman’s talent. For 14 years, Joyce worked as an apprentice, mastering the art of working with gold and silver. It was during this captivity that he supposedly designed the ring—dreaming of the woman he left behind in Galway.

The Return

In 1689, King William III negotiated the release of all British subjects held in slavery in Algiers. The goldsmith offered Joyce his freedom, half his wealth, and his daughter’s hand in marriage if he stayed. Joyce refused. He returned to Galway, found his true love still waiting for him, and established himself as a goldsmith. The earliest surviving Claddagh rings bear his mark ("RI").

4. The Place: What is "The Claddagh"?

The ring is named after The Claddagh (from the Irish An Cladach, meaning "the stony shore").

Today, it looks like a suburb of Galway City near the Spanish Arch. But for centuries, it was a completely separate, distinct fishing village with its own King, its own laws, and its own language (Irish).

• The Fishermen: The men of the Claddagh sailed unique boats called "Galway Hookers" (with red sails).
• The Ring: The ring was traditionally the wedding ring of this fishing community. Because they were poor, the rings were often kept as heirlooms, the only substantial wealth a mother could pass to her daughter.

5. Where to Buy Authentic Rings in Galway

You can buy a "Claddagh Ring" in a gift shop in Boston or Beijing. But if you are in Galway, you want the real deal.

Avoid the cheap tourist shops selling €20 rings made of base metal. Head to the historic jewelers who have been making them for centuries.

Thomas Dillon’s Claddagh Gold (Quay Street)

This is the big one. Established in 1750, Thomas Dillon’s claims to be the original maker of the Claddagh Ring and the oldest jeweler in Ireland.

• The Museum: At the back of their small shop on Quay Street, they have a tiny (free) museum. It houses some of the oldest rings in existence, including rings made by Richard Joyce himself.
• The Royal Connection: They have made rings for Winston Churchill, Walt Disney, and Grace Kelly.

Fallers Jewellers (Williamsgate Street)

Another institution in Galway, Fallers has been operating since 1879. They are known for high-quality craftsmanship and a wide range of styles, from traditional heavy gold to modern interpretations.

Lazlo Jewellers

For a more contemporary take, Lazlo often stocks modern diamond-set Claddaghs that bridge the gap between the ancient symbol and modern engagement ring styles.

(Shopping for authentic goods? The same rules apply here as in our Kilkenny guide: check for the hallmark! Read Made in Kilkenny: Authentic Crafts & Souvenirs for tips on reading Irish hallmarks).

6. How to Spot a Fake

If you are investing in a gold or silver ring, look for the Hallmark. All Irish jewelry must be tested and stamped by the Assay Office in Dublin Castle. Look on the inside band for three marks:

1. The Hibernia Mark: A seated woman (representing Ireland).
2. The Purity Mark: e.g., "925" for Sterling Silver, "375" for 9ct Gold, "750" for 18ct Gold.
3. The Maker’s Mark: The initials of the jeweler (e.g., "TD" for Thomas Dillon).

If it doesn't have these stamps, it is not guaranteed Irish gold.

7. Why You Need a Local Guide

You can walk into a shop and buy a ring in 5 minutes. But a local walking guide turns the purchase into a memory.

• The Claddagh Walk: A guide will walk you out of the city and over the bridge to the actual Claddagh village. They will show you where the thatched cottages used to stand and explain the distinct culture of the "Claddagh Kings" that died out in the 1930s.
• The Introduction: A guide can introduce you to the staff at the historic jewelers (like Thomas Dillon’s) and ensure you get to see the museum pieces in the back, explaining the history of the Richard Joyce ring you are looking at.
• The Photo Op: They know the best spot on the Long Walk to get a photo of your hand with the new ring, with the colorful houses and the swans in the background.

Take Home a Piece of Galway

A Claddagh ring is the ultimate souvenir because it carries a story. Don't just buy it off a shelf—learn the history of the pirates, the fishermen, and the Tribes who made it.

Hire a local guide to show you the real Claddagh village before you make your purchase.

Find a Galway Walking Guide Now →