Claddagh Ring Legend

Like the two hands that make up the design of the Claddagh, the legend of the Claddagh is a story of duality. There are two different stories behind the Claddagh Ring Legend. And while each makes for interesting legend, it does not matter which one you believe. For, both stories have the same common theme: let love, loyalty, and friendship reign supreme!

The first legend of the Claddagh maintains that about 400 years ago an Irish fisherman from Galway named Richard Joyce was about to be married. But, before the marriage he was captured at sea by pirates and sold as a slave in the Caribbean. Mr. Joyce’s owner was a rich Moorish goldsmith, who took him under his wing as an apprentice. In time Mr. Joyce became a gifted master craftsman. Yet, despite his new trade and life, he never stopped thinking of the woman he had left behind in Ireland. Thus, with eternal love driving his tools, he created the world’s first Claddagh Ring. Mr. Joyce was later freed from slavery and (despite offers of fortune and marriage by his previous owner) returned to Claddagh, Galway where he found his fiancé still waiting for him. He presented her the ring he had made as her wedding ring. The earliest Claddagh rings to be traced bear his mark and the initial letters of his name, RI (Richard Joyce).

The second legend of the Claddagh is a bit more mystical, but also involved the Joyce family. In this legend of the Claddagh it is said that a woman named Margaret Joyce married Domingo de Rona, a wealthy Spaniard who traded with merchants in Galway. When Mr. deRona died he left Ms. Joyce a substantial fortune. Ms. Joyce returned to Ireland and used her fortune to build bridges from Galway to Sligo. Later Ms. Joyce re-married Oliver Og French who was the Major of Galway from 1596-1597. Legend says Ms. Joyce was rewarded for her philanthropy by an eagle that dropped the original Claddagh ring into her lap.