My Claddagh Story

The beautiful irish ring worn today by many people encompasses a great symbolic meaning and it seems that mostly everyone who wears one possesses their own story. With its accented and pronounced radiance dressed up in silver or gold, the claddagh ring stands out as a very powerful symbol. Whether it is worn with its intended meaning or as a treasure, it is very much valued by its owner.

The center piece displays a heart of love surrounded by hands of friendship and on top rests a crown of loyalty. The old custom and tradition of this ring can be worn to represent if a person's heart is available or taken. If the ring is worn on the left hand with the heart facing inward, it means that you are married. But if the heart is facing outward, you are enaged and will soon be wed. If the ring is worn on the right hand with the heart facing inward, you're in a relationship with someone and your heart is therefore taken, but if the heart is looking the other way, then you are still in search for love and your heart is open.

This ring always intrigued me and I became captivated when I eventually learned of it's meaning. I absolutely loved when I saw others around me wearing the ring and I would automatically start up a conversation about it. When I got older and bought my first claddagh ring, I followed this traditional custom. It wasn't until 2006 when I started using the ring's meaning in my own way, that I truly saw its profound significance and importance in my life and now it never leaves my finger.

I was first introduced to the claddagh ring when i was a little girl and my grandmother took me to a jewelry store. I don't remember my age or my surroundings, I just remember the store and how it was important for her to buy me this ring. She picked out a small, silver, claddagh ring and she found the right one to fit my finger and then she bought it for me. This time was highlighted, everything else seemed to be a blur, but a special memory was formed and a link was created. From that day on, I saw this symbol as our own- a special bond we shared of her irish background she passed down and from all the love she bestowed. She always wore a gold claddagh ring on one of her fingers and I always admired that ring and would gaze at it knowing it represented a connection we had.

I tried numerous times to find the ring my grandmother bought for me but it was impossible and I think it will forever remain lost. If i would've known how much that ring would mean to me in the future, I would have never taken it off, just like the one i own today. This one, ironically, has a black heart.

My grandmother died November 17th 2006 due to a sudden aneurism in the brain. A beautiful, healthy, and incredible person taken from my life before I ever got a chance to say goodbye. She died on the way to the hospital, this i know, even though a machine was keeping her alive until we all decided it was time to let her go. I stared at my ring and rubbed the heart so roughly that the ring become wet from the sweat of my finger caused by severe pain surrounding my entire body. I clung on to it, pressing it against my finger, like a memory I didn't want to forget. At this time the heart was facing outward due to a difficult relationship my boyfriend and I had at the time, but when I was sitting there at the hospital, I didn't want to think of him as my finger caressed the ring. My only thoughts were of my grandmother and this ring was what she gave to me- not the one I lost long ago but the meaning, the power, the love that will remain with me forever. I took the ring off my finger and slide it back on with the heart facing towards me. My grandmother was gone but she wasn't permantly gone from my life and I know she will always be with me. I am taken. She always loved me and showed it so much throughout my life and I will always be taken by her. My grandmother. My best friend. The black heart on this ring became meant to be and the meaning is stronger than ever- A hidden secret resting upon my finger connecting to my soul. But I own something even better now. My grandfather gave me her own, gold, claddagh ring that she always wore and this means more to me than anything. I always owned silver, but now I have gold.

In a book called the claddagh ring by Malachy McCourt, there is a poem by Patrick B. Kelly that represents the power and beauty of the claddagh ring but most importantly what is portrays in my own life. Just recently, I wrote my own.

The Old Claddagh Ring
by Patrick B. Kelly

The Old Claddagh Ring, it was my grandmother's
She wore it a lifetime, and gave it to me
All through the long years, she wore it so proudly
It was made where the Claddagh rolls down to the sea
What tales it could tell, of trials and of hardship
And of grand happy days, when the whole world did sing
So away with your sorrow, it will bring luck tomorrow
Sure everyone loves it, the Old Claddagh Ring

With the crown and the crest, to remind us of honour
And clasping the heart that God's blessing would bring
A circle of gold, always kept homes contented
With true love entwined in the Old Claddagh Ring
As she knelt at her prayers and thought of the dear ones
Her soft gentle smile, it would charm a king
On her worn hand, as she told me her story
You could see the bright glint of the Old Claddagh Ring

It was her gift to me, and it made me so happy
With this on my finger, my heart beats would ring
No king on his throne could be half so happy
As I am when wearing my Old Claddagh Ring
When the angels above call me up to heaven
In the heart of the Claddagh, their voices will sing
"Away with your sorrows, you'll be with us tomorrow,
Be sure and bring with you, the Old Claddagh Ring."


Oh, Aquamarine

The finest of blues
Born with the color flowing throughout my blood
Dripping from a claddagh of memory
So permanently attached upon my finger
A magnet to my grandmother
The link connected to a blue heart
Coloring my world as a constant reminder
The blanketed sky where she watches
Like a river reflecting the sky in soft ripples
Not to disturb their unity transforming to one
A desire to swim with the water splashing over me
A continuous rejuvenation of memory
An understanding of a fish’s dependence on water
Our shared Piscean souls
The color resting beside diamonds, rubies and pearls
Value more often to catch the light
A gift left for me
And the golden treasure dressed in blue
That walks beside me always


I Love You Nana...