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The Claddagh dates back more than 300 years to the small
fishing village of Claddagh in Ireland. The Claddagh is
very symbolic and is most frequently worn as a ring. The
Claddagh ring was first produced during the reign of Queen Mary
II in the 17th century.
The Claddagh design features two hands clasping a heart
topped with a crown. The hands signify friendship and
togetherness, the heart symbolizes love and the crown stands for
loyalty. Even the way the Claddagh ring is worn has
meaning -- signifying if the wearer is single, in a serious
relationship, engaged or married.
With the exodus of many from Ireland during the Irish Potato
Famine in the years 1845-1849, the Claddagh was brought
throughout the world with the Irish emigrants. Today the
Claddagh is very familiar to many and is most commonly
associated with those of Irish ancestry.
If you are looking for an Irish ornament that is both
beautiful
and meaningful, we can think of no better selection than our
popular Claddagh ornament.
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