The Claddagh The most romantic of Irish symbols

 

 

 

The Claddagh, a story of Romance

Now as is true of all good Irish tales the story may vary from telling to telling, storyteller to storyteller.  I have tried to stick to the bare bones of the tale though for you all. 

An Irish fisherman named Robert Joyce left his home in Galway, Ireland to set sail, off to make ends meet as so many young men did. He left behind the love of his life, his Margaret.  The ship he was on was bound for the West Indies, when pirates  took over the vessel. The pirates killed or worse enslaved the crew members. A kidnapped Joyce, was sold into the servitude of  a goldsmith whose shop was in a land far from his home and Margaret.
Though forced to do the work, Robert was good at being a goldsmith.  His skills soon exceeded even those of the master who had trained for decades. Though years passed his love for Margaret never faded, he could never forget the woman who owned his heart and haunted his dreams. With her in mind he created the first Claddagh ring, a symbol of their love. Two hands, clasping a crowned heart, wrought from gold, and symbolizing the sacred nature of romantic love and un-ending faithfulness.  
In 1689 King William III conquered the Moors and ordered the release of those kidnapped and enslaved. Not wishing to lose such a fine craftsmen the Goldsmith, who no longer owned Robert begged and bribed for Joyce to stay, but his love of Margaret still held strong and he returned to Ireland with the hope she too had felt the same way.

Robert Joyce had fallen for a good woman whose love stayed true while he was gone. From the time of he gave her the Claddagh to the end of their lives she wore that ring.  That love still inspires people centuries later who share and cherish this unforgettable symbol of Love.