Why the Claddagh is the Perfect Irish Promise Ring

Promise Rings are trending on TikTok and searches online for Promise Rings have been going through the roof in the UK, US, Canada, Australia and here in Ireland. So you might be forgiven for thinking that Promise Rings are a trend that is here today and gone tomorrow.

The History of Promise Rings

But promise rings have a history that goes back much further than you might think. All the way to the 1600's! And here in Ireland promise rings are a cherished tradition intertwined with one of our most iconic Irish designs, The Claddagh.

So if you are looking for a promise ring to signify your commitment and love, an authentic Irish Claddagh Ring is a perfect fit. The Claddagh Ring is a traditional Irish symbol of Love, Loyalty & Friendship, and has been used as a promise ring since it was first designed over 400 years ago on the west coast of Ireland.

What is a Promise Ring?

The Claddagh ring is one beautiful example of a Promise Ring that have been exchanged by couples in love since the middle ages.

What is common amongst all the different types of Promise ring is that they were exchanged as gifts between romantic partners as a visual representation of love and commitment. They were also often given as mementos when a couple were separated by geographic distance

To this day a promise ring is a visible symbol of a couples stability and partnership. And given that they are often exchanged earlier in a relationship than an engagement or wedding ring, they are typically made from more affordable materials like sterling silver, nine-karat gold, and sometimes set with semi-precious stones.

They were often engraved with quotes or lovers initials and were typically worn on the left ring finger. But really there were and still are no hard and fast rules for Promise Rings. They are really much more about the sentimental value.

The Claddagh - An Irish Symbol of Love, Loyalty & Friendship

And the Claddagh Ring has sentiment in every element of it's design. Featuring a Heart, held by two Hands and topped by a Royal Crown, these three lovely symbols represent Love, Friendship and Loyalty. Sentiment and symbolism just made for a promise ring.

The First Claddagh Ring: An Irish Promise

Ireland is a nation of storytellers and there are many tales about the first Claddagh Ring! One of our favorites is romantic story of a young man called Richard Joyce who lived in the village of Claddagh in what is now County Galway.

Richard had promised his love to a young Galway girl, before boarding a ship to the West Indies to seek his fortune. His ship was intercepted by pirates and he was taken off to Algiers. For 12 years he worked there as a slave, demonstrating unusual skill in the service of a goldsmith and crafting the first claddagh ring in the hope that he would one day return to Ireland and his beloved.

After winning his freedom, Richard returned immediately to Ireland and the Claddagh and presented this first "Claddagh Ring" to his patient Galway girl. Whatever the accuracy of this romantic love story, it's a darling illustration of the meaning of the Claddagh: a symbol of Love, Loyalty & Friendship that is true and steadfast in the face of adversity.

A Claddagh love story closer to home

And we have another story of a Claddagh Promise Ring that is a little closer to home! I met Jane working a summer job while I was in uiversity. I knew pretty quickly that this person was special. Our first Valentines together, I gave her a Sterling Silver Claddagh Ring.

A wedding, two kids and many wonderful years of adventure later we are happier than ever and Jane still has her Claddagh Promise Ring!

How to Wear a Claddagh as a Promise Ring

The Claddagh ring can be worn on any finger and it often comes down to personal choice. But if you are wearing it as a pre-engagement ring or promise ring you might wear it on the ring finger of your right hand. You could then switch it to your left hand when you are married or indeed select one of our stunning Claddagh Wedding bands to wear on your wedding day. And you might like to know that if you wear a Claddagh ring with the Heart pointing out toward your fingernail, you are signalling to those in the know that your heart is available!

If you want to signal to the world that your heart is taken, you may want to wear the Claddagh ring with the Heart pointing in toward your own heart!

How to Give a Promise Ring

Giving a promise ring is a very special moment in your relationship. You might decide to choose a time & date for the presentation with special significance for you: a birthday, an anniversary of your first date, or a graduation ceremony for example.

Or you might choose a place that holds special meaning for you: your favorite spot, your favorite walk or where you first met. You will have your own special reasons for giving a promise ring and you should explain these as you offer your gift. If you are presenting a Claddagh ring you might also make reference to the special symbolism of the ring by saying something like:

With this claddagh ring I promise you my Love, my Loyalty & my Friendship

You can point to each part of the Claddagh ring as you do so. Heart for Love, Crown for Loyalty and Hands for Friendship. And you can be sure you are saying the word Claddagh correctly at the all important moment by following our helpful pronunciation guide.

How Much Should I Spend on a Promise Ring?

Again, there are no hard-and-fast rules for promise rings and that includes how much you “should” spend. We firmly believe that you shouldn’t place too much importance on the cost of your ring. It is a lovely, romantic gesture and you should focus more on selecting the design that means most to you as a couple.

Another way to think about the cost, is to consider your own personal circumstances. Everybody has different financial constraints at different stages of life.

If a young college-going couple came in to me and asked my advice I would suggest they might spend under $200 on silver claddagh rings or birthstone rings. However, if a more established couple were to ask my advice I might show them different options in gold or set with precious gemstones.

You will find claddagh rings online for less than $20. You will also find diamond set claddagh rings for 100 times the price! Our carefully crafted Claddagh rings range in price from $100 to $10,000!

We have a range of designs for men & women, from the classic sterling silver rings, gold claddaghs, to claddaghs set with diamond, emerald, sapphire, ruby or birthstones.

For an added personal touch you can add your own inscription and you will have a ring that is as unique as your love! All of our rings are made here in Ireland from precious metals, express shipped speedily and securely, free of charge Worldwide in a lovely Gift Box.

We enclose a small guide with every Claddagh ring explaining the history and meaning of the ring. The guide also includes instructions on how to wear the ring to indicate that your heart is taken.