Written for Globetrotters: The Claddagh ring I purchased in the fall of 2019 in Galway, Ireland has been worn so consistently by me that my finger now has a tan line where it sits. While walking through the streets of Galway there are some obvious main attractions for travelers: Pubs, live music and the Legend of the Claddagh Ring museum.

The Legend of the Claddagh Ring

My travel companions and I visited Galway, Ireland in the fall, during a semester spent studying abroad. We spent much of our time bouncing in between shops and bars to stay out of the rain and wind. With only a small list of locations on the itinerary for Galway, we hoped to find areas to explore along the way.

As we wandered through the cobbled streets, we eventually made our way into the Legend of the Claddagh Ring museum. The Claddagh (pronounced “kla-duh”) ring has been around in Galway since the 1700s but didn’t earn its name till over a century later.

This free museum is located in the heart of Galway and the staff is very knowledgeable about the ring’s history. They explain that the Claddagh ring is made up of three symbols: A heart, a crown and hands. This symbolizes love, loyalty and friendship.