The Irish Heart ring - Irish Rings

1. The Irish Heart ring The Irish Claddagh Ring is a timeless piece of Claddagh jewelry from Ireland with a long history. The Claddagh ring dates back to the seventeenth century, and originates from the small fishing village of Claddagh in County Galway, Ireland. There are lots of different stories claiming title to the origins of the ring, but most believe that the Claddagh design that we know today was first created by a Galway-bred goldsmith by the name of Richard Joyce. It is said that Joyce was captured by pirates and sold into slavery to a Moorish goldsmith for fourteen years, who taught him his craft. Desperate to get back back to his one true love, he developed the Claddagh design as a gift on his return. When he was freed, Joyce returned to Ireland with the ring he had created, which he gave to the woman he later married. And so, the ring’s romantic symbolism was born. www.irishjewelrycraft.com/claddagh-ring-meaning