The Claddagh Ring - Irish symbol of love

The Claddagh Ring is the quintessential Irish symbol of love. Read on to find out the legend of the ring and where you can buy the orginal ring in Ireland.

The Irish have long been considered a passionate and romantic people, and one of the oldest romantic traditions in Ireland is the wearing of the Claddagh Ring which symbolises your love, friendship and trust for another.

Originating from the Claddagh area of Galway, the ring depicts two hands cradling a heart with a crown on top. The two hands are a symbol of friendship, while the heart represents love and the crown denotes loyalty and trust – all the ingredients for a fruitful relationship.

There are traditions as to the way the ring is worn, those wearing the heart on the inside are lucky enough to have found true love, while the heart worn on the outside means the wearer has yet to find their soul mate.

The romantic history of Galway has made it a popular choice for couples, with the alluring ambience of the cobbled streets and the beautiful views over the Atlantic melting hearts from all over the world.

So bring your nearest and dearest to this charming Celtic city and dazzle them with a Claddagh Ring as a token of your love, then wander the promenades of Salthill and steal yourself a kiss as the waves crash against Galway Bay.


Mairead Foley writes for the Ireland travel and accommodation website http://www.GoIreland.com where you can book quality approved B&Bs, guesthouses, self catering & hotels (Dublin hotels, Cork hotels , Galway hotels) all over Ireland.