Seven reasons why people wear a Claddagh.
Written by Ciaran on Sep 02, 2025 | 0 Comments
Centuries after the first Claddagh ring was made on our wild Atlantic coast, why do people in Ireland and around the world still choose to wear this iconic design in impressive numbers? Read on to find out the seven reasons why we think the Claddagh is such a beloved jewellery design for men, women, and children.
1) The Claddagh is Irish
In both the design and name, the Claddagh is Irish. Claddagh is the anglicized form of the word ‘Cladach’, which in old Irish means ‘seashore’. The spelling and pronunciation can cause some confusion (see our handy video below for help).
The ring is named after the fishing village of Claddagh, just outside Galway City in Ireland. The town itself is named after the stoney seashore beside which it was built.
Though the oldest Claddagh rings date to the early 1700s, the first record tying the rings to this name and place was published in 1841-43. Speaking about the residents of the village of Claddagh it says -
“they have many peculiar customs. One is worthy of special note. The wedding-ring is an heirloom in the family. It is regularly transferred (by a mother) to her daughter first married and so on to their descendants. These rings are largely of solid gold…”
An illustration of a Claddagh ring From Hall's Ireland (1841-43). The publication of this illustration certainly helped to "brand" this design as a Claddagh, a uniquely Irish ring.
Photo Credit: Mr and Mrs S C Hall. Ireland its Scenery and Character, 3 vols (London, 1841 - 1843)
Now whether this romantic account is accurate is debatable! The inhabitants of Claddagh would not have been all that wealthy. So a solid gold ring may have been a stretch. But certainly the oldest Claddagh rings to date bear hallmarks dating them to the west of Ireland in the early 1700s. This account did help to “brand” this ring design as a Claddagh, to anchor the design to Ireland, and to spread this tradition beyond Irish shores to the UK and beyond.
Today the Claddagh is synonymous with Ireland and many wear the design as a celebration of Irish connections.
2) The Claddagh has a rich and storied history
As you have probably already gathered, the Claddagh has a long and storied history. In addition to published accounts like the one above, the Claddagh spread by word of mouth, with Irish immigrants taking their cherished rings and romantic stories with them when setting up new lives in North America, the UK, and beyond.
But the Claddagh was a popular choice across the board and was reportedly favoured by royalty too. Queen Victoria wore a Claddagh ring after a trip to Ireland. And it was apparently at her request that Colonel and Mrs. Hall wrote about it and Ireland in their travel book.
An "influencer" of her day, Queen Victoria was a fan of the Claddagh ring and had a hand in popularising the design beyond Ireland's shores.
Photo Credit: Public Domain "Queen Victoria's Highland Home and Vicinity. Illustrations, etc". - The British Library, United Kingdom
Queen Victoria was clearly a big fan, as was her son, King Edward VII. His wife, Queen Alexandra, also owned and wore the design. More recent royal Claddagh fans include Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco. The royal pair were given a set of rings on a visit to Ireland in 1961. The Princess was certainly taken with her ring, as she was photographed wearing it at many state functions.
The Claddagh has also been spotted on the hands of rock royalty and stars of the big and small screen too! Jim Morrison, Bono, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Aniston, Daniel Day Lewis, Walt Disney, and Gabriel Byrne have all worn Claddagh rings.
Eagle eyed visitors to Disney will spot a Claddagh on Walt's hand in the iconic "Partners Statue" by sculptor Blaine Gibson. Walt famously cherished his Irish connections and bought himself and his wife Lillian a Claddagh on a trip to Ireland in 1946. He reportedly only wore two items of jewelery; his wedding ring and a Claddagh ring.
Photo Credit: atmtx (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0|)|
3) The Claddagh has beautiful meaning
Why did the Claddagh appeal to such a diverse group you may ask? Perhaps more than anything it is the meaning behind the design that has led to the popularity of the Claddagh with people of all stripes worldwide.
The design consists of two hands holding a crowned heart that sums up the enduring ingredients of lasting love, summarised in the phrase “Love, Loyalty & Friendship”, or if you prefer the Irish, “Grá, Dílseacht, Cairdeas” (pronounced “Graw, Deal-shocked, Core-jass”):
- The heart, unsurprisingly, is love - grá
- The crown is the representation of loyalty and respect - díseacht
- The outstretched hands symbolise friendship - cairdeas
4) The Claddagh represents love in all forms
Although it started out in the 1700’s primarily as a ring to mark a betrothal or wedding, the Claddagh is now seen as a symbol of love and connection in all of its forms. Claddagh rings are given, received, or worn, to mark all sorts of occasions and milestones.
The Claddagh as a symbol of Romantic love
Harking back to those early examples from the 1700s, a Claddagh ring is often a gift given in a romantic relationship, either as a promise ring or to mark an engagement, or wedding. My wife Jane still has and wears a Claddagh ring I gave her to mark our first year together as a couple, more than 20 years ago!
Myself and Jane looking quite a bit younger! The moment Jane tried on the Claddagh I bought for her, caught on camera!
We also regularly help people find a Claddagh to mark many happy years together as the symbolism works equally well to celebrate an important anniversary.
Claddagh as a symbol of Platonic love
But the Claddagh is not just a symbol of romantic love. Claddagh rings are regularly given as special mementos to family members or dear friends. They are ideal for celebrating a unique friendship and are a particularly popular gift from parents or grandparents to young people coming of age here in Ireland. Some of our team here at My Irish Jeweler still have small Claddagh rings given to them by their grandparents on their communion.
Perhaps it is a heavyweight Claddagh for a graduation gift; A birthstone set Claddagh for a dear friend's birthday; Or a Claddagh bearing the family coat of arms for a marquee gift for a family member. Whatever the occasion, the Claddagh is a timeless and heart-warming Irish promise of Love, Loyalty and Friendship.
Claddagh as a symbol of Irish love
We have already established that the Claddagh is Irish. So many also wear a Claddagh to symbolise love for Ireland itself! Many celebrate Irish connections, be it a memento from a memorable trip to Ireland or Irish heritage, with a Claddagh they can treasure for a lifetime.
This is a tradition that is shared equally between those that live in Ireland and the Irish diaspora too - all proudly wear Claddagh rings in celebration of our lovely island and it's rich history.
As a uniquely Irish design every Claddagh is perfect for showing love for Ireland. But we think a Claddagh set with a heart of Ireland in Connemara Marble, or made with gold sourced from Ireland itself are particularly fitting.
5) The Claddagh is versatile
The Claddagh works in a variety of different ways and is an incredibly versatile design. Made of gold or silver, set with diamonds or unadorned, heavyweight and handsome, or elegant and timeless - they are all stunning. Man, woman or child, there is really a Claddagh ring for everyone!
More than a ring
The design started as a ring but it also works just as well in different types of jewellery - be it a Claddagh necklace, Claddagh earrings, Claddagh bracelet, Claddagh cufflinks, or a Claddagh brooch. The elements of the heart, crown and hands are incredibly versatile.
The Claddagh has even made the jump from jewellery to other crafts and art forms too! In our many years we have seen Claddagh Christmas ornaments, embroidery, and even a very memorable Halloween costume!
Our own Queen of Halloween, Ruth, memorably dressed up as a Claddagh a few years ago!
6) The Claddagh tells a story
Given how deeply rooted they are in Irish culture, it is no surprise that there are all manner of traditions, superstitions, and stories that surround them.
Many superstitions and traditions have grown up about how to wear a Claddagh. Worn with the heart pointing out or pointing in, on the left hand or on the right - the Claddagh tells a story of its wearer for those in the know.
Many love the Claddagh for this, and how their own personal tale is interwoven with it when they wear it. As well as their own story and history, they are often passed down through generations as cherished family heirlooms.
7) The Claddagh is beautiful and unique
All of the other points wouldn’t matter at all if the Claddagh was not such a unique, instantly recognisable, and beautifully balanced design. We are clearly biased - but there is no denying the elemental beauty of the Claddagh: its pleasingly symmetrical form and elegant lines.
Need Help finding Your Claddagh?
After all that, you may want a Claddagh all your own if you aren't lucky enough to already have one! Or perhaps you know someone who would appreciate that Irish promise of Love, Loyalty, and Friendship?
Given the myriad options, narrowing down your search can be tricky. We are here to help should you need it. You can be sure you will receive attentive and responsive five-star service, as reflected in our glowing customer reviews. We take the stress out of shopping onine. So if you have any questions please do get in touch. We would be delighted to help you select that perfect Claddagh
You can purchase confident in the knowledge that our Claddaghs are hallmarked here in Ireland in Dublin Castle and will be securely and speedily shipped to you in a beautiful gift box.
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Ciaran
My Irish Jeweler
Born in Co. Antrim and reared in Dublin, I was fascinated with Gaelic culture from an early age. I suppose it's not surprising given my mother inherited a grá for the Irish language from my grandfather, an Irish school headmaster. And that grá continues! My brother and sister are now Gaelic teachers here in Ireland, my niece is an award winning Irish dancer, and I proudly work to share Irish culture through our Irish and Celtic Jewelry at My Irish Jeweler!
I love researching and reading about the history of Irish design. It's at the core of what we do here at My Irish Jeweler. I find much of it so interesting that I have to share what I find. I hope you enjoy it!
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