The Claddagh Story and Tipperary Your Celtic Jeweler
The story of the Claddagh Ring begins some 500 years ago on the west coast of
Ireland in a tiny fishing village outside the ancient city walls of
Galway Known as The Claddagh.
Each morning the men would set sail into Galway Bay in their tiny
curraghs with hopes of a great catch. In the bay the wind could be
strong and the seas high but there where other dangers too. As was oh so
common at that time, pirates stalked the bay. One fateful day family of
fisherman was at sea. The men were captured by pirates and promptly
sold into slavery. Richard the youngest of the lot was to be married
that same week, but alas he was forced to leave the Claddagh and his
beloved behind.
Richard was sold to a goldsmith on the north coast of Africa were he was
forced to tend the fires. The goldsmith eventually took a liking to
Richard and began teach him the trade of goldsmithing. A smart Irish lad
and a quick study, Richard learned his trade very well. A day never
passed that Richard did not yearn to be home in The Claddagh with the
lass he left behind. The thoughts of love and home inspired Richard.
Each day he hoarded a spec of gold from his master. When enough gold had
been stored he made a ring, a beautiful ring, a ring with true meaning.
His ring combined three symbols - at the center a heart signifying his love, the heart embraced by hands signifying his friendship and the two topped by a crown to mark his loyalty to his love.
The years passed and Richard either escaped captivity or was finally
released, no knows for sure. What we do know is that he made his way
across the oceans, across the continents, and finally back across the
bay to the Claddagh. To Richards great joy when he arrived home he found
that the girl he loved had never married. With tears of joy in his eyes
he presented he the ring he had crafted half a world away and the two
lived happily ever after.
But our story does not end there, because not only is it a lovely story
but it is the birth of one of Ireland most endearing traditions. The
tradition of the Claddagh, now known in every corner of the earth. A
story and a tradition with such meaning that it captivates us these 500
years later. Since that time the Claddagh Ring and Claddagh jewelry in general has been worn as a sign
of Love, Loyalty and Friendship. At Tipperary we stock an unparalleled selection of Claddagh Jewelry, just as we have for generations. No jeweler anywhere has more experience with Irish made Claddaghs. We sold your grandmother her Claddagh ring and our staff is ready to help you with yours.
The true Irish Claddagh bears a mark of authenticity, which cannot be imitated. A genuine Irish Claddagh is one that is handcrafted in Ireland, assayed in Dublin Castle and hallmarked by the Irish Assay master. Ask our jewelers how to read your Irish hallmark. Our certified jewelers have been admitted to the Assay Office, done the testing, applied the hallmarks, and are certified by the Irish Federation of Jewellery Manufacturers. We work with families in Ireland that have made jewelry for generations to bring you the finest crafted Claddagh jewelry available. Have us tell you about our friends the Shannon's, the Mahar's, the O'Neill's, the Kelly's, the Condron's and other families in Ireland that craft jewelry for Tipperary so you can have the very best!