The resurgence of Claddagh is rife in Ireland at the moment, but did you know that the symbol didn't always belong to the general Irish population?
While the iconic symbol is often regarded as the epitome of Irishness, many people will be surprised to hear that they were once practically exclusive to rich landlords during The Great Famine.
Cosmetic historian Laura Fitzachary spoke to EVOKE about the ring's shocking past, from its connection to the Spanish Armada to its exclusivity during the Famine, and how Irish young people are reclaiming the symbol.
The Spanish connection
Like much of Ireland's past, the Claddagh ring is surrounded by myth and folklore. One thing is for sure, Irish people are reclaiming the iconic symbol.
The ring, which is largely thought to have originated in the Claddagh area of Galway (though many Cork people will dispute this), initially began with an icon of hands clasped together. This was known as a Fede ring.
Irish people have long had a strong connection to Spain (if our Eurovision voting is anything to go by!) and it turns out that the Claddagh ring does too.
It is thought that the simple Fede ring was adapted to include a heart in the middle after the discovery of a gorgeous heart-shaped ring in the wreckage of one of the Spanish Aramda's ships, that sunk in 1588.
"There was a ring recovered from one of the ships called The Girona. They actually found it in 1972, when they were excavating the wrecks," Laura explained.
"The ring had a tiny heart held by a glass hand, and an inscription engraved on it which read 'I have nothing more to give you,' in Spanish, of course," Laura explained.
So, the iconic heart symbol was added to the Claddagh ring, to represent love and friendship, but we still didn't have the Claddagh as we know it because it was still missing its crown...
A Claddagh ring. (Getty Images)
The Great Famine connection
It is unknown exactly how the ring got its crown feature, but it definitely happened at some point in the 1840s. It is often thought that the Claddagh ring represents the Irish population, but this certainly wasn't the case when it was at its most popular.
The ring gained traction during The Great Famine, with wealthy upper-class people, such as landlords donning the jewellery, while much of the general population starved.
"You have to remember these rings would have been way beyond the means of the general public at the time," Laura explained. "Many people were very poor at the time and so the rings were only fashionable for the wealthy."
The first time the Claddagh ring was documented was by English travelers who came to Ireland to explore the country's culture.
A British couple, called Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Carter, were the first people to ever publish information about the Claddagh ring, crediting the small Galway fishing village of the same name for the creation of the jewellery. The illustrations included in their book were drawn by William Evans, who studied at the prestigious Eton College.
"They were English visitors to Ireland, commenting on what we're doing here. They mentioned Claddagh, this fishing village, and the peculiar custom of wedding rings being passed from mother to daughter," Laura said.
"It is unknown if this (English influence) is where the crown aspect came from, but as with everything in history, you have to remember that everyone has a motive."
Reclaiming the ring
We are currently seeing the biggest resurgence of Claddagh rings since the 1850s (though many will argue they never went out of style!)
Everywhere we look, we see adaptations of the ring, whether it be made into earrings or replaced with a pint glass, young people can't get enough.
While the stylish motif is the trendiest jewellery you can wear as of late, many people may not realise the role they are playing in reclaiming something that was kept from them.
"We are definitely reclaiming something that was likely created by working-class people, and adapted for the wealthy," Laura said.
"This trend is a visual representation of what it means to be Irish now. And that pride in that as well, which can only come out of enduring iconography that has a beautiful sentiment."
*This article was originally published on Evoke.ie.
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