| When walking around Ireland, or anywhere | | | | long awaited love. After waiting for so long she |
| recently, it is common to glimpse the gold band of | | | | was glad of his return, and married him instantly. |
| the traditional Irish Claddagh ring. The hand held | | | | It is said he gave her the ring as a symbol of |
| heart resting beneath the crown is said to be a | | | | their love. Due to this legend the tradition of the |
| symbol of friendship, love and loyalty. A gift | | | | giving of the Irish Claddagh ring to lovers is |
| passed from friend to friend, between lovers, and | | | | obvious. |
| through the family. But what are its origins? | | | | When Ireland was struck with the potato famine, |
| Although there are more than one legend of the | | | | many of the Irish families travelled to America, |
| origin of the Irish Claddagh ring, the one which is | | | | taking with them the Irish Claddagh ring, which |
| usually believed is the story of Richard Joyce and | | | | has now become a family heirloom. The ring is |
| his love. A member of the Joyce clan of Galway, | | | | now passed down through the female line, or to |
| he sailed to the West Indies, but on the way | | | | males to pass to their love. |
| Joyce and his fellow sailors were captured and | | | | As the ring is a tradition of the Irish families, it |
| kept imprisoned as slaves. | | | | may be a gift between lovers and married |
| Over fourteen years it was Joyce's job to work | | | | couples, which ahs been passed down through the |
| alongside a goldsmith. During his years of working | | | | family. It shows a connection to the family, as |
| Joyce supposedly designed the traditional Irish | | | | well as a connection between the two who will |
| Claddagh ring. He had left his love back in Ireland | | | | join together at the wedding. |
| and she is said to have been waiting for him. | | | | In recent times, the Claddagh ring has been used |
| Finally, as William III ascended to the thrown, he | | | | as a wedding band at pagan wedding ceremonies, |
| called for the release of the British prisoners. | | | | often called a hand-fasting. The hand-fasting, as |
| Joyce was free to return home. | | | | with more traditional wedding ceremonies, joins |
| Before Joyce's return to Ireland, his 'owner' | | | | two people together in love and friendship, and so |
| offered him wealth, and his daughter in marriage. | | | | the Claddagh ring has become a popular symbol, |
| Joyce said no, opting to return to Ireland and his | | | | rather than a plain gold band. |