The Legends and Stories of the Claddagh Ring
The Irish are known for their story telling and their legends! Some of these legends date back to the times of the Celts! The stories that you are going to hear though are about the Claddagh Ring. They are very romantic.
One story tells of a woman named Margaret Joyce. Margaret was once married to a very rich man from Spain named Dominga de Roma. When he died, he left her a lot of money. This money she did not keep for herself but instead used it to help the people of Ireland in the city of Connacht. She built bridges so people could travel out of town. For her charity the first Claddagh was created. Legend has it that an eagle dropped the Gold ring into her lap.
There is another story that is more commonly accepted. This is the story of Richard Joyce. Richard, as a young man was a trader who was travelling to the West Indies. While on his trip though he was captured by pirates! He was then sold to be a slave for a Moorish (or Moroccan) Goldsmith. During his time as a slave he perfected his metal working skills and became a skilled craftsman. Then, when King William III became the King of England his release was demanded. Despite having the ability and will to stay with the Goldsmith he wanted to return home to his love. When he returned home to Ireland he gave his ever faithful wife one of the first Claddagh's he had ever made.