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The Claddagh Ring: Ireland's Cherished Symbol of Friendship, Loyalty, and Love
Bestselling author Malachy McCourt recounts the story of Ireland's timeless symbol of loyalty, friendship, and love, a ring design of two clasped hands that is worn by millions worldwide. Following the success of his Running Press titles Danny Boy and Voices of Ireland , McCourt explores this beloved icon of Irish heritage through vivid anecdotes, charming folk tales, and recent documented incidents. Said to have been first crafted more than 400 years ago in a fishing village on Galway Bay, there is much more to the story of the Claddagh ring than simple popular history, and McCourt tracks it down and recounts it with his stellar storytelling finesse.
112 pages, Paperback
Published December 14, 2004
5 people are currently reading
303 people want to read
About the author
Malachy McCourt
34 books134 followersMalachy Gerard McCourt was an American-Irish actor, writer and politician. Born in Brooklyn and raised in Limerick, McCourt appeared in several films and soap operas, including The Molly Maguires, Brewster's Millions (1985), and Another World. He also wrote three memoirs, describing his life in Ireland and in the United States. McCourt was the 2006 Green Party candidate for governor of New York, losing to the Democratic candidate Eliot Spitzer. He was the younger brother of author Frank McCourt.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
April 9, 2008
diferrent stories, views, recollections of the famed ring..
April 18, 2008
I worked on this one too. Obviously a bit more sentimental and more of a gift title than his History, but it was a lot of fun.
March 9, 2012
Lots of facts. Read like a freshman research paper.
March 17, 2020
The Claddagh ring of Ireland – with its famous symbol of a crowned heart cradled within two hands – is personal for me, for a couple of reasons. First, part of my Irish ancestry goes back to Galway, the county of western Ireland within which the village of Claddagh is located. Second, the wedding band that I wear on my left hand is a gold Claddagh ring; I put it on my finger on April 24, 1993 – the day that I had the good fortune to marry my beloved wife. It has never been off my finger since that day, and I will wear it as long as I live. All of which means that it is not possible for me to review Malachy McCourt’s 2003 book The Claddagh Ring coolly or objectively. This will be more an appreciation than a review.
For anyone who seeks out Irish literature, Frank McCourt will need no introduction. His 1996 memoir Angela’s Ashes won a Pulitzer Prize for the manner in which McCourt set forth the grimness of his early life in Limerick, Ireland – a bleak tableau of poverty, social dislocation, and family dysfunction, all epitomized by a hopelessly alcoholic father. The manner in which McCourt told his story – unsparing, and yet leavened at times with a certain dark humour – seems to have contributed to the book’s success, even as it occasioned controversy: various Limerick residents charged that McCourt had either embellished his memories of life in Limerick, or simply made them up.
Fortunately for the reader who may be seeking out work that will be lighter in tone than Angela’s Ashes, McCourt’s The Claddagh Ring is free from both the grimness and the controversy of McCourt’s earlier book. This look at Ireland’s Cherished Symbol of Friendship, Loyalty, and Love (the book’s subtitle) is a pleasant, and brief (109 pages), consideration of a well-known emblem of Irish culture.
With the same vividness of detail with which he set forth life in the rough-hewn industrial city of Limerick, McCourt provides a compelling picture of “Claddagh, or An Claddach, as it is known in Irish, meaning ‘stony shore’”. We learn that Claddagh was “the most important fishing village on the west coast of Ireland”, and we learn about some of the factors that caused it to remain distinctive: “It remained an Irish-speaking village, independent of Norman rule in Galway during the Middle Ages, and as the city of Galway began to grow, Claddagh could not be more distant in terms of customs, traditions, and way of life” (p. 54). Even now, when Claddagh is virtually a part of Galway City – half a kilometer from the center of the city, a 6- or 7-minute walk – Claddagh remains distinctively and wonderfully different.
As McCourt tells it, the Claddagh ring has been a vital part of Irish society and culture for centuries, with influences that show up at various inflection points of Ireland’s history. When it comes to the Great Famine of 1847-51, for instance, McCourt speaks of the many Irish people who pawned their gold Claddagh rings – the one item of any real value most of them possessed – to finance their sea voyage from Ireland to North America. McCourt adds that
Claddagh rings began turning up at Ellis Island during the mass exodus from Ireland in the 19th century, as shiploads of Irish came over with little more than the clothes on their backs. It’s realistic to assume, given the numbers of Irish who perished aboard those “coffin ships,” that a great many emigrants, with dreams of a better life in America, took their last breath of air with a Claddagh ring upon their finger. (p. 25)
The Claddagh ring shows a crowned heart cradled within two hands. I could provide an explanation of the symbolism of the ring; but McCourt’s explanation is better, more detailed, and more eloquently expressed than anything that I could provide, so I’ll ask him to do the honors: “As we know, the hands signify faith in friendship, the crown loyalty, and the heart signifies love. In Gaelic, the phrase Gra Dilseacht, agus Cairdeas, pronounced phonetically as Gra Deelshocked, ogis Kordiss means ‘Love, Loyalty, and Friendship’” (p. 79).
McCourt prefers the phrase “Let Love and Friendship Reign” as an explanation of the meaning of the Claddagh ring. I respect that; but my own preferred translation is “Loyalty Protects Love.” To me, the ring means that when one finds their spouse or life partner, the person with whom they intend to spend the rest of their life, they should be aware that their feelings of friendship, respect, and mutual esteem for that person are what will keep the relationship strong for a lifetime.
It is for that reason that Irish people in Ireland, and people of Irish descent in countries like Australia, Canada, Great Britain, and the United States of America, sometimes wear the ring in different ways at different points in their lives. A single person may wear the ring with the heart facing outward: their heart, you see, is still looking for love. With marriage, by contrast, the ring is worn with the heart on the ring pointing inward toward the wearer’s own heart; the crown, for loyalty, then faces outward. Your loyalty protects your love.
McCourt’s The Claddagh Ring abounds in stories and lore about the ring. If you want to go to the place that is “the city’s original maker of the Claddagh ring,” McCourt refers you to Thomas Dillon’s shop at 1 Quay Street in Galway; it has been selling Claddagh rings since 1750, and customers at Dillon’s have included famous Irish Americans like President John F. Kennedy.
The Claddagh Ring closes with an Irish-American New York City story from the early 21st century. When the attacks of September 11, 2001, took place, a New York police officer named Moira Smith “was the only female NYPD officer to lose her life in the attacks.” In honor of her sacrifice, a high-speed ferry was given the name Moira Smith, and was painted with an image of the Claddagh ring that Officer Smith and her husband James had worn throughout their marriage. At the boat’s christening, James Smith said that “There’s a traditional saying that goes with the giving of a Claddagh: With these hands I give you my heart, and I crown it with my love” (pp. 108-09).
McCourt’s book emphasizes well the unique magic that the Claddagh ring seems to possess. He writes that “the people wearing Claddagh rings around the world appear to carry so much hope with them. With the ring around their finger, they are proclaiming that they are loved, and that they love in return. They believe in loyalty and friendship with all their heart” (p. 107).
Amen to that – or, as McCourt says in closing the book with the traditional Irish toast, a benevolent wish for the hearer’s good health and happiness, Sláinte.
For anyone who seeks out Irish literature, Frank McCourt will need no introduction. His 1996 memoir Angela’s Ashes won a Pulitzer Prize for the manner in which McCourt set forth the grimness of his early life in Limerick, Ireland – a bleak tableau of poverty, social dislocation, and family dysfunction, all epitomized by a hopelessly alcoholic father. The manner in which McCourt told his story – unsparing, and yet leavened at times with a certain dark humour – seems to have contributed to the book’s success, even as it occasioned controversy: various Limerick residents charged that McCourt had either embellished his memories of life in Limerick, or simply made them up.
Fortunately for the reader who may be seeking out work that will be lighter in tone than Angela’s Ashes, McCourt’s The Claddagh Ring is free from both the grimness and the controversy of McCourt’s earlier book. This look at Ireland’s Cherished Symbol of Friendship, Loyalty, and Love (the book’s subtitle) is a pleasant, and brief (109 pages), consideration of a well-known emblem of Irish culture.
With the same vividness of detail with which he set forth life in the rough-hewn industrial city of Limerick, McCourt provides a compelling picture of “Claddagh, or An Claddach, as it is known in Irish, meaning ‘stony shore’”. We learn that Claddagh was “the most important fishing village on the west coast of Ireland”, and we learn about some of the factors that caused it to remain distinctive: “It remained an Irish-speaking village, independent of Norman rule in Galway during the Middle Ages, and as the city of Galway began to grow, Claddagh could not be more distant in terms of customs, traditions, and way of life” (p. 54). Even now, when Claddagh is virtually a part of Galway City – half a kilometer from the center of the city, a 6- or 7-minute walk – Claddagh remains distinctively and wonderfully different.
As McCourt tells it, the Claddagh ring has been a vital part of Irish society and culture for centuries, with influences that show up at various inflection points of Ireland’s history. When it comes to the Great Famine of 1847-51, for instance, McCourt speaks of the many Irish people who pawned their gold Claddagh rings – the one item of any real value most of them possessed – to finance their sea voyage from Ireland to North America. McCourt adds that
Claddagh rings began turning up at Ellis Island during the mass exodus from Ireland in the 19th century, as shiploads of Irish came over with little more than the clothes on their backs. It’s realistic to assume, given the numbers of Irish who perished aboard those “coffin ships,” that a great many emigrants, with dreams of a better life in America, took their last breath of air with a Claddagh ring upon their finger. (p. 25)
The Claddagh ring shows a crowned heart cradled within two hands. I could provide an explanation of the symbolism of the ring; but McCourt’s explanation is better, more detailed, and more eloquently expressed than anything that I could provide, so I’ll ask him to do the honors: “As we know, the hands signify faith in friendship, the crown loyalty, and the heart signifies love. In Gaelic, the phrase Gra Dilseacht, agus Cairdeas, pronounced phonetically as Gra Deelshocked, ogis Kordiss means ‘Love, Loyalty, and Friendship’” (p. 79).
McCourt prefers the phrase “Let Love and Friendship Reign” as an explanation of the meaning of the Claddagh ring. I respect that; but my own preferred translation is “Loyalty Protects Love.” To me, the ring means that when one finds their spouse or life partner, the person with whom they intend to spend the rest of their life, they should be aware that their feelings of friendship, respect, and mutual esteem for that person are what will keep the relationship strong for a lifetime.
It is for that reason that Irish people in Ireland, and people of Irish descent in countries like Australia, Canada, Great Britain, and the United States of America, sometimes wear the ring in different ways at different points in their lives. A single person may wear the ring with the heart facing outward: their heart, you see, is still looking for love. With marriage, by contrast, the ring is worn with the heart on the ring pointing inward toward the wearer’s own heart; the crown, for loyalty, then faces outward. Your loyalty protects your love.
McCourt’s The Claddagh Ring abounds in stories and lore about the ring. If you want to go to the place that is “the city’s original maker of the Claddagh ring,” McCourt refers you to Thomas Dillon’s shop at 1 Quay Street in Galway; it has been selling Claddagh rings since 1750, and customers at Dillon’s have included famous Irish Americans like President John F. Kennedy.
The Claddagh Ring closes with an Irish-American New York City story from the early 21st century. When the attacks of September 11, 2001, took place, a New York police officer named Moira Smith “was the only female NYPD officer to lose her life in the attacks.” In honor of her sacrifice, a high-speed ferry was given the name Moira Smith, and was painted with an image of the Claddagh ring that Officer Smith and her husband James had worn throughout their marriage. At the boat’s christening, James Smith said that “There’s a traditional saying that goes with the giving of a Claddagh: With these hands I give you my heart, and I crown it with my love” (pp. 108-09).
McCourt’s book emphasizes well the unique magic that the Claddagh ring seems to possess. He writes that “the people wearing Claddagh rings around the world appear to carry so much hope with them. With the ring around their finger, they are proclaiming that they are loved, and that they love in return. They believe in loyalty and friendship with all their heart” (p. 107).
Amen to that – or, as McCourt says in closing the book with the traditional Irish toast, a benevolent wish for the hearer’s good health and happiness, Sláinte.
September 18, 2019
Considering I am of Irish heritage and I always wear a Claddagh ring, I really wanted to like this book... I guess in some aspects I did, but all in all I’d say I was left disappointed. I can’t really take an author seriously when their book has glaring spelling mistakes (Hello? Editor- your job is to catch these things, isn’t it?). Also how did McCourt get away with misspelling a key figure’s name multiple times within the same chapter?
It felt a bit like he was trying to fulfill a teacher’s writing requirement: “Cite enough books, then use a thesaurus to reiterate, it gets the word count up.” It’s fine to include passages from other authors, but do you really have to preface their words by stating them almost verbatim- I don’t need to read the same little story 2-3 times, I got it the first time. By the end of the book, the pages were heavily covered with other people’s words.
That being said, I understand he was trying to give a background to the geography, the history, etc. but given that, it felt like he didn’t cover much of the ring itself. Again, maybe I’m being harsh, but in my opinion, it wasn’t a great read.
It felt a bit like he was trying to fulfill a teacher’s writing requirement: “Cite enough books, then use a thesaurus to reiterate, it gets the word count up.” It’s fine to include passages from other authors, but do you really have to preface their words by stating them almost verbatim- I don’t need to read the same little story 2-3 times, I got it the first time. By the end of the book, the pages were heavily covered with other people’s words.
That being said, I understand he was trying to give a background to the geography, the history, etc. but given that, it felt like he didn’t cover much of the ring itself. Again, maybe I’m being harsh, but in my opinion, it wasn’t a great read.
June 2, 2023
3.5/5 stars
This was a super interesting read. I have Irish heritage and wear a Claddagh ring, so I was intrigued to learn more about the ring and its history.
While I did enjoy the book, particularly the beginning and end, I was disappointed by how much the author borrowed information or facts directly from other sources, often including whole sections from other books or articles. It was a bit odd, even though he cited everything accurately.
Overall, I liked learning more about Claddagh and how it is thought the ring came about. But I especially resonated with the impact of the Claddagh ring on future generations, as I know it is rising in popularity even now. I love the meaning of the ring and how it is a reminder of family members and Ireland itself.
June 21, 2023
This was a nice little read I just happened to find in a “free” pile at a local library. I’ve worn the claddagh for over 30 years and only knew part of the story. McCourt does a nice job of telling the history and relating it to modern times (as of 2003). This is a hard subject matter as there’s so much myth and legend, so I gave this a lower score as I think more research could have been. Certainly not a comprehensive tome, but certainly informational.
January 13, 2020
I enjoyed this book. My husband had it and I thought since I wear a Claddagh ring he brought me from Ireland, I might just glance through it. Well I started reading and it was enjoyable to read the entire history of the ring. I knew a little but not that much. I have Irish heritage and really enjoyed the detail very much.
May 18, 2018
Well researched and enjoyable with equal amounts of myths and folk tales, documented history, local tales of small-town quaintness, and timelines which all weave back together into a great recollection of the many manifestations of the Claddagh ring, its meanings, its origins, and its future.
January 20, 2019
I enjoyed the first half most as it seemed to have more history of the Claddagh area and people and the ring.
Second half was a bit ho-hum for me. More quotes from other writers.
Still glad I read it after visiting Galway. Not sure I'd have appreciated it before my travel there.
Second half was a bit ho-hum for me. More quotes from other writers.
Still glad I read it after visiting Galway. Not sure I'd have appreciated it before my travel there.
November 5, 2019
This is a small book but it packed with a great deal of good information. It not only covers some stories about the potential origin of the Claddagh symbol but other good stories. I highly suggest you take the little time it takes to read the book.
January 26, 2018
Interesting Irish history of this special ring.
December 5, 2020
Short and sweet, and gives the history of this legendary piece of jewelry in an entertaining way.
May 11, 2022
A lot of great information and heritage. I felt at times the book went “off track” however those sidetracks were also very interesting. Not always an easy read yet worth getting through.
August 27, 2023
After reading this book I would love to have one of these rings. Just knowing the meaning of them is really cool
September 13, 2023
I recommend reading on or around Patriot Day.
April 22, 2024
Can’t say this book is anything great. It does share some history that was gathered about the mythology and history of the Claddagh people and the ring made famous by them. It was a quick read.
November 29, 2015
Lovely little tribute to a beautiful symbol of love. Full review to come.
++++++++++++
My book blog ---> http://allthebookblognamesaretaken.bl...
I will be very honest, I first discovered the Claddagh ring because of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. That heart-wrenching moment on the pier where Angel has to leave and gives Buffy the ring, then they get attacked by Spike and Dru's men, and the rest is history. I fangirled hard over that show, and continue to do so to this day. So, back then when it was new episodes every week and Angelus had returned to wreck havoc on Sunnydale, I knew I had to have a Claddagh ring. I found one at the Irish Indeed store in the Mall of America while in high school and badgered my mom until she gave in and bought it for me. Many years later I was fortunate enough to go on a trip Ireland, again with my mom - and yes, one of our day trips included a stop in Galway. You can bet I bought another Claddagh there, this time with my birth stone in the heart.
So anyway, onto the book. This is a lovely little tribute to a beautiful symbol of love. It is a slim volume that details the two myths behind the creation of this ring, and also spends a decent amount of time focusing on 9/11 and the amount of Claddagh rings found in the rubble of the Twin Towers - a testament to the number of New York's Bravest and New York's Finest with Irish blood flowing through their veins. McCourt then also details the village of Claddagh itself, though it is now gone; "The people of the Claddagh are gone now, and the area has been newly developed, with new houses standing where the village of Claddagh stood for centuries" (page 106).
Overall, though it is short, it is full of interesting stories and information. It will not take long to read this one, but it is worth the time.
++++++++++++
My book blog ---> http://allthebookblognamesaretaken.bl...
I will be very honest, I first discovered the Claddagh ring because of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. That heart-wrenching moment on the pier where Angel has to leave and gives Buffy the ring, then they get attacked by Spike and Dru's men, and the rest is history. I fangirled hard over that show, and continue to do so to this day. So, back then when it was new episodes every week and Angelus had returned to wreck havoc on Sunnydale, I knew I had to have a Claddagh ring. I found one at the Irish Indeed store in the Mall of America while in high school and badgered my mom until she gave in and bought it for me. Many years later I was fortunate enough to go on a trip Ireland, again with my mom - and yes, one of our day trips included a stop in Galway. You can bet I bought another Claddagh there, this time with my birth stone in the heart.
So anyway, onto the book. This is a lovely little tribute to a beautiful symbol of love. It is a slim volume that details the two myths behind the creation of this ring, and also spends a decent amount of time focusing on 9/11 and the amount of Claddagh rings found in the rubble of the Twin Towers - a testament to the number of New York's Bravest and New York's Finest with Irish blood flowing through their veins. McCourt then also details the village of Claddagh itself, though it is now gone; "The people of the Claddagh are gone now, and the area has been newly developed, with new houses standing where the village of Claddagh stood for centuries" (page 106).
Overall, though it is short, it is full of interesting stories and information. It will not take long to read this one, but it is worth the time.
January 5, 2013
While this was an interesting book, I have to say that it read like an undergraduate thesis. I was impressed at first with interesting information, but at the same time, I was annoyed that the author strayed constantly from the topic at hand: the history of the Claddagh ring. During the course of this reading, I learned that there are a few myths of how the ring came about, but in general, I found myself reading about things which were not specifically about the ring itself, but rather just fluff and filler, such as the fact that many victims of the 9/11 attacks wore Claddagh rings.
I'm not judging too much here. After all, I've written essays like this, so I understand the thought process. But, when you don't have enough information about your topic, it sometimes becomes necessary to embellish with side-material that might be interesting to your reader, but does not directly coincide with the book. My hypothesis about lack of material is also reflected in the fact that the book is only a paltry 112 pages.
Not a bad book, but not something I would recommend if you're seriously interested in learning about this topic. If you already know a bit more, or are doing research yourself and want to have another book to read about this topic, you might be interested. But, I feel like I could learn a bit more about the ring in less pages if I went on Wikipedia or grabbed an encyclopedia off the shelf at the library (they still have those, right?)
Not a bad book, but not a great book, either. Would not recommend.
I'm not judging too much here. After all, I've written essays like this, so I understand the thought process. But, when you don't have enough information about your topic, it sometimes becomes necessary to embellish with side-material that might be interesting to your reader, but does not directly coincide with the book. My hypothesis about lack of material is also reflected in the fact that the book is only a paltry 112 pages.
Not a bad book, but not something I would recommend if you're seriously interested in learning about this topic. If you already know a bit more, or are doing research yourself and want to have another book to read about this topic, you might be interested. But, I feel like I could learn a bit more about the ring in less pages if I went on Wikipedia or grabbed an encyclopedia off the shelf at the library (they still have those, right?)
Not a bad book, but not a great book, either. Would not recommend.
June 9, 2016
Review Title: With this ring
A popular souvenir of visitors to Galway on Ireland's west coast is the Claddagh ring, which consists of a heart (representing love) surrounded by a pair of hands (friendship) and topped by a crown (loyalty). The Claddagh was a traditional fishing village across the river from Galway and traditionally the birthplace of the ring. McCourt tells the history and traditions associated with the ring in this slim volume.
There are two different origin stories for the ring told by McCourt, neither of which is well documented and thus fall into the legendary category. He gives a brief history of the village, which sounds like it might be a more interesting story. But this isn't a serious history, so don't take it too seriously; it is barely 100 pages, with wide margins and line spacing, and the text around the white spaces would easily fit in an extended magazine feature piece. The reader would be forgiven for accusing McCourt of writing a Chamber of Commerce promotion piece for the many Galway jewelers who make a version of the Claddagh ring. Being charitable, it is a light introduction to the popular souvenir, which is available in many metals and price ranges; after all, I came home from Ireland with Claddagh rings for my wife and daughters.
A popular souvenir of visitors to Galway on Ireland's west coast is the Claddagh ring, which consists of a heart (representing love) surrounded by a pair of hands (friendship) and topped by a crown (loyalty). The Claddagh was a traditional fishing village across the river from Galway and traditionally the birthplace of the ring. McCourt tells the history and traditions associated with the ring in this slim volume.
There are two different origin stories for the ring told by McCourt, neither of which is well documented and thus fall into the legendary category. He gives a brief history of the village, which sounds like it might be a more interesting story. But this isn't a serious history, so don't take it too seriously; it is barely 100 pages, with wide margins and line spacing, and the text around the white spaces would easily fit in an extended magazine feature piece. The reader would be forgiven for accusing McCourt of writing a Chamber of Commerce promotion piece for the many Galway jewelers who make a version of the Claddagh ring. Being charitable, it is a light introduction to the popular souvenir, which is available in many metals and price ranges; after all, I came home from Ireland with Claddagh rings for my wife and daughters.
May 4, 2013
Just finished Malachy McCourt's book "The Claddaugh Ring: Ireland's Cherished Symbol of Friendship, Loyalty, and Love" a few days ago.
While some might find the book rather dry I liked it very much. It was on a subject I had always wanted to know more about especially with it's connection to the many of the people who died in the Twin Towers. Hard to believe that more than 200 people were wearing a Claddaugh Ring when they perished on 911.
While the history of the ring is some what sketchy as to it's actual start it's remaining history is amazing. People like John Wayne had one and even the Queen of England has one. So many people in politics, acting and just ordinary folks all want to own a ring. The ring fell out of favor for a few years but of recent it is making a strong come back and not just with the Irish who you can trace the ring back to it's first days.
Yes it's a type of history lesson but with so many other interesting stories that go with it that it made this book enjoyable to read for me.
Would I recommend this book to others: yes. Would I read it again: maybe not this exact book again but more books on the subject matter.
While some might find the book rather dry I liked it very much. It was on a subject I had always wanted to know more about especially with it's connection to the many of the people who died in the Twin Towers. Hard to believe that more than 200 people were wearing a Claddaugh Ring when they perished on 911.
While the history of the ring is some what sketchy as to it's actual start it's remaining history is amazing. People like John Wayne had one and even the Queen of England has one. So many people in politics, acting and just ordinary folks all want to own a ring. The ring fell out of favor for a few years but of recent it is making a strong come back and not just with the Irish who you can trace the ring back to it's first days.
Yes it's a type of history lesson but with so many other interesting stories that go with it that it made this book enjoyable to read for me.
Would I recommend this book to others: yes. Would I read it again: maybe not this exact book again but more books on the subject matter.
March 18, 2015
McCourt's slender volume is a delightful read. One can only expand so much when not much is known about the Claddagh ring's mysterious origin!
McCourt's presentation the ring's stories of origin draws on a variety of sources; he offers background on fede rings, the small town of Claddagh and Irish wedding traditions. McCourt, a NYC resident, explores each century of the ring's existence, and ties his essay together with a touching story of 9/11 and the Claddagh's powerful symbolism. He writes, "So it may be said that the Claddagh ring embodies love and hope and friendship and heartbreak, making it a symbol not just of those qualities and emotions, but of life itself."
McCourt's presentation the ring's stories of origin draws on a variety of sources; he offers background on fede rings, the small town of Claddagh and Irish wedding traditions. McCourt, a NYC resident, explores each century of the ring's existence, and ties his essay together with a touching story of 9/11 and the Claddagh's powerful symbolism. He writes, "So it may be said that the Claddagh ring embodies love and hope and friendship and heartbreak, making it a symbol not just of those qualities and emotions, but of life itself."
September 15, 2015
Malachy McCourt's short book tells the tale of the Claddagh Ring and a bit of Irish blarney too. Framed by stories of 9/11 in a powerful way, the book tells the tale of the little ring that could. It is full of Irish spirit, has lovely myth attached to them told with a touch of the flair known to Irish story tellers, and a sense of how the Famine and Irish immigration changed the world including bringing so many rings to 9/11. Beautiful. I learned a lot about a ring that of course I received from my Irish parents and never knew where it came from beyond the symbolism.
January 9, 2008
I suckered myself into this one off a St. Pat's table at the bookstore awhile back because, well... I am Irish and proud of it and sometimes we do stupid things.
Not a bad book, but pretty light on information or insight. Super quick read. You get the two basic legends of the claddagh which if you haven't heard before are thorough enough to make you feel like you learned something. Not worth buying, you cold probably get the same pleasure out of a wikipedia article.
Not a bad book, but pretty light on information or insight. Super quick read. You get the two basic legends of the claddagh which if you haven't heard before are thorough enough to make you feel like you learned something. Not worth buying, you cold probably get the same pleasure out of a wikipedia article.
July 15, 2008
A neat, short book about the Claddagh ring, including the folklore and symbology surrounding it and a brief history of Claddagh and the Galway region.
McCourt draws on previous literature and his own extensive knowledge of Irish history and culture to craft this light and very readable book. He adds just the right amount of sentimentality to really bring out a reverance for this iconic Irish symbol of love and friendship.
McCourt draws on previous literature and his own extensive knowledge of Irish history and culture to craft this light and very readable book. He adds just the right amount of sentimentality to really bring out a reverance for this iconic Irish symbol of love and friendship.
January 28, 2009
With my dad's half of the family being Irish, and my grandmother having given me two or three claddagh rings that I can remember, when I stumbled across this book, it intrigued to me. I suppose you could call it a history of the design of the ring itself, but the author can't really pin down a source. There are several interpretations given for the initial concept, and overall I thought it was an interesting little book.
November 12, 2011
This is a sweet tribute to a most ubiquitous symbol. I appreciated the breadth with which McCourt uncovers the claddagh, as well as his justifications for why it's all right for folks who may not necessarily be Irish to claim the symbol for themselves as well. I read this before I gifted it. Not something I need to read again, but a pleasant little book nonetheless.
February 14, 2012
The author gives a concise description of the legend and fact surrounding both the Claddagh ring and the town in which in originated. A great read for those who are lovers of Irish history or someone wanting to learn more about the symbol of the Claddagh. Perfect to read during the month of March!
April 7, 2013
McCourt combines the lore of the past and the present of the Claddagh ring and more than one continent as the meaning and significance of the ring is told. Much seems to remain a mystery, but that in no way diminishes the significance of the Claddagh ring. A very enjoyable way to spend a Saturday reading.
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August 5, 2011A fascinating little book about the history, mythology, and culture of Galway the Claddagh ring. It's easy to read and feels almost as though the writer were sitting across from you, sharing a pint. Enjoy :)
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