Most people when they think of Celtic or Claddagh images of traditional Ireland are etched in their minds. Even the name Claddagh is Irish in origin. It comes from the Irish, “An Cladach” and translated means a flat and stony shoreline. On the West Coast of Ireland there is an ancient fishing village just outside Galway City and it is called Claddagh. Celtic Claddagh Wedding Jewellery is steeped in tradition, but in order to understand and appreciate it fully we must find out its true origins.

The people of the Claddagh village spoke the native Irish language and lived in small settlements with cobbled streets and thatched houses. The people who belonged to this community were a private community and the inhabitants tended
to marry within the community. This ensured that local traditions and customs were kept alive. One of these customs, was the Claddagh Ring. The Claddagh ring belongs to a group of Faith or Fede rings, which date back to Roman times. These rings were made in the shape of two joined hands that represent trust and faith. The two hands in the ring are clasping a heart and are crowned with a crown.

The Claddagh ring also existed in other places as well as in Claddagh, but perhaps was more prevalent there. It was called after the village of Claddagh as all the inhabitants there wore the ring. Claddagh rings were passed down through the generations from a mother to her first born daughter. They were worn as friendship rings, but slowly became the symbol of the ancient Celtic wedding ring.