Hi Everyone. I hope I find you all well this week. The most romantic day of the year is just around the corner so what better time to re-visit the story of the much loved Claddagh ring. It also gives me an excuse to share my favorite Claddagh jewelry picks from The Irish Store collection-perfect gifts for that special someone this Valentines Day.
The Story of The Claddagh Ring
There are many myths and legends surrounding the Claddagh ring but my favorite is certainly the most romantic. The story goes back some 300 years to the tiny fishing villlage of the same name on the edge of the City of Tribes. It concerns a certain Richard Joyce, a silversmith from Galway. While on his way to the West Indies around 1675 he was captured and sold to slavery. The Moorish goldsmith who bought him taught him his craft. After 14 years in captivity, he was released and returned to Galway where his true love awaited him. While he was enslaved he fashioned what we now know as the Claddagh Ring especially for her. The heart symbolizes love, the hand’s friendship and the crown loyalty. And now for the Claddagh Ring Rules!
How to Wear Your Claddagh Ring
- Wear your ring on your right ring finger with the crown pointing away from your heart to signify that you are open to love.
- Wearing your ring on the left ring finger with the crown pointing towards the heart announces to the world that you are engaged or married.
So now that we’ve re-capped the story and how to wear your Claddagh ring, how about some great Claddagh gift ideas for all you hopeless romantics?
Lulu’s Top Claddagh Gifts
1. Celtic Cats Eye Claddagh Jewelry Set
First up it’s a five star customer favorite! This stunning Claddagh matching pendant and earrings set features Ireland’s much-loved Irish symbol of love and friendship in exquisite detail. Beautifully crafted with eye-catching emerald green cats eye stones. An Irish gift for her to be treasured.
2. Mullingar Pewter Claddagh Jewelry Box
Maybe her collection of Claddagh jewelry is complete so why not give her the gift of this stunning jewlery box. The craftsmanship is beautifully detailed with delicate bead work and intricate hand finished Celtic knot designs offsetting the iconic symbol of Love, Loyalty & Friendship. Handcrafted by the renowned Mullingar Pewter.
3. Claddagh Sterling Silver Birthstone Earrings
The much loved Irish symbol of Love, Loyalty and Friendship is beautifully re created here with a sparkling cubic zirconia birthstone central heart. Choose your month and give a gift from Ireland with a thoughtful personal touch.
4. Claddagh Earrings & Pendant Set
Our penultimate pick is another stunning Claddagh jewelry set. This stunning earrings and pendant set forms part of The Solstice Collection. Here, the classic Claddagh is given a fresh contemporary update.
Beautifully crafted with exquisite attention to detail. Hallmarked at Dublin Castle.
5. Silver Connemara Marble Claddagh Ring
Well I simply must end my top picks with the classic Claddagh ring! Our number one best seller is a customer 5 star favourite and it’s easy to see why. The Claddagh symbol is beautifully re-created in stunning detail. Crafted in sterling silver with an eye-catching heart of Ireland’s ancient gemstone, Connemara Marble.
So now you know the story, how to wear it and you’ve got some great gift ideas for friends, loved ones and that special someone this Valentine’s Day!
Take care of yourselves and each other,
Slán go fóill!
Lulu.
24 comments
I find this interesting but plan on giving a ring to my daughter in law as a symbol of our spiritual unity. I was going to tell her to wear it on her right hand pointed inward. Any special instructions for friendship only and not future marriage?
Hi Dan. Many thanks for your comment. If it’s given as a ring of friendship then you’re right to advise wearing it on the right hand as wearing it on the left hand symbolizes romantic attachment. Whether she wears it inwards or outwards is a matter of choice.
I just gave my friend aclad ring for friendship. How should she wear it
Hi Toni. Many thanks for your comment. If it’s a friendship ring then it should be worn on the right hand with the heart facing outwards as wearing it inwards suggests a romantic commitment. There’s no strict rules as to what finger to wear it on unless it’s a ring of commitment when it should be worn on the ring finger of the left hand.
I just received a Claddagh ring as a promise ring as in pre-engagement… do o wear it on the left hand facing outwards? Typically promise rings are worn in place of engagement rings until the question is asked so are Claddagh rings as a promise ring the same??
Hi Jenny. Many thanks for your comment. You’re absolutely right- wear it on the left hand to show that your heart is taken. You can then switch It to the right hand when you receive your engagement ring. Congratulations!
Hi I was wondering where I could buy this ring at?
Hi Courtney,
Thanks for reading. Not sure which ring your interested in but here’s a link to our full range of Claddagh rings. Hope you find something you like.
https://www.theirishstore.com/celtic-jewelry/claddagh?type=Rings
Happy shopping!
Lulu.
Looking for watches
Hi Amy,
Check out our full selection below;
https://www.theirishstore.com/celtic-jewelry/watches
Happy Shopping!
Lulu.
Hello! My mother purchased me a Claddagh ring on a recent trip to Galway, because we were told that it’s bad luck to buy your own, but I also bought one for my husband. I am married and wear a wedding band on my left ring finger already, where should I wear my new Claddagh ring? Thank you!
Hi Mave,
Well it doesn’t really matter what finger you wear it on as you’re not using it as a wedding/engagement ring. But be sure to wear it with the heart turned toward you to show that you’er taken.
Regards,
Lulu.
Hello, If a boyfriend gave you a Claddagh ring, and now the relationship has been broken is it acceptable for the ex-boyfriend to ask for the ring back?
Hi Emily,
Sorry to hear about the break up. I don’t think there’s any rules when it comes to giving the ring back-that’s a matter for you and your ex. If you do keep it, don’t forget to turn the heart away from you when you wear your ring to show your single status!
Thanks for reading,
Kind regards,
Lulu
Hello,
I have a Claddagh necklace and was wondering if there was a specific way I should wear it? All the places I’ve searched are specific to rings and I was wondering if you had the answer
Hi Olivia,
Thanks for reading. Yes the Claddagh symbol was always meant for a ring as it was originally designed as a wedding ring. I suppose you could apply the same rules and have the heart point away from your heart if you are single and the opposite if you have a partner. Of course this will all depend on the design of the necklace allowing this!
Regards,
Lulu.
Please tell me how a widow wears a Claddagh ring. Thank you.
Hi Grace,
Well the choice is yours depending om whether you still consider yourself attached or are ready to date again. It would be a purely personal thing and there is no right or wrong way to wear your Claddagh when widowed.
Thanks for reading!
Lulu
My wife and I are from Belfast. She died six years ago and I now wear her Claddagh Ring on my left hand with Crown facing in. Is that correct?
Hi Seamus,
That is correct Seamus. As long as your heart is spoken for you should wear your ring with the heart/crown facing inwards.
Thanks so much for reading,
Kind Regards,
Lulu
I have 3 very dear friends. We have known one another and been friends for 30+ years. My husband recently passed away and they all have been a great support to me. I found a beautiful Claddagh bracelet and got one for each of them because of the meaning behind it. Is it appropriate to be given in friendship to a friend and not a love interest?
Hi Kelley,
Absolutely. Although the Claddagh ring began life as an Irish wedding ring, Claddagh gifts are often given as a token of friendship with it’s universal message of love, loyalty and friendship.
Thanks so much for reading,
Kind regards,
Lulu.
Hi I am wearing my claddagh ring on the outside of my finger now I am with my boyfriend and he is giving me a friendship ring in a box soon 8 years together now and very happy together soild
Hi Rachel,
Very happy to hear your good news!
Thanks for reading,
Best wishes for the future,
Lulu