| Irish jewelry is renowned the world over - in fact, | | | | symbols express more than just meets the eye! |
| we've been making it since about 2000BC! There's | | | | The hands represent friendship, the heart - love, |
| even been some artefacts found from earlier | | | | and the crown – loyalty. "Let love and |
| times like the Gleninsheen Collar, which is thought | | | | friendship reign" is the saying that is synonymous |
| to have been made around 700BC! | | | | with the Claddagh. |
| The Celts arrived in Ireland around 500BC and | | | | The Claddagh ring is no ordinary ring, as the way |
| were excellent jewelry makers. They used gold, | | | | you wear it sends out a message. When worn on |
| bronze and silver to create wonderful pieces like | | | | the right hand (ring finger) with the heart pointing |
| bangles, collars, torques and brooches. Between | | | | outwards (away from the person) it indicates that |
| about 2000BC and 500AD Celtic jewelry became | | | | you are looking for a relationship. If worn on the |
| extremely popular due to its distinctive style and | | | | left hand (ring finger) with the heart pointing |
| was traded across Europe. | | | | outwards it indicates that the person is engaged. |
| In these earlier times, jewelry was made for | | | | But when worn on the left hand and turned |
| practical reasons such as pinning clothes together. | | | | inwards it means that the person is married. |
| It was also seen as a symbol of status. A form | | | | The Claddagh ring originated in a little fishing village |
| of ancient jewelry did exist before the Celts, but | | | | called Claddagh in County Galway on the west |
| it was only made from teeth, bones, wood and | | | | coast of Ireland. It was used as a wedding ring in |
| even stones! | | | | this small community for over 400 years! There |
| Celtic crafted jewelry can be recognised by its | | | | are lots of legends of how this ring actually came |
| spirals, knotwork, animal designs, crosses and | | | | about, but it is believed that a native Galway man |
| symbols like the harp and the shamrock which are | | | | by the name of Richard Joyce, travelled abroad |
| emblems of Ireland. (If you really want to get a | | | | to the West Indies. While travelling he was |
| glimpse of some ancient Celtic jewelry on display, | | | | captured as a slave and sold to a wealthy Moorish |
| then visit the National Museum of Ireland, Merrion | | | | gold smith. Here he learned his trade and designed |
| Street in Dublin). | | | | the ring with which he returned to Galway. |
| The Irish monks continued the practise of jewelry | | | | The Claddagh ring has become increasingly popular |
| making and introduced the 'high cross'. The monks | | | | due to its unique design, its history, its connection |
| were excellent craftsmen, which can be seen in | | | | to Galway, and of course, it's sentimental meaning. |
| the chalices, jewelry and other artefacts that | | | | Nowadays, there are several different types of |
| they made. They created jewelry by pouring | | | | Claddagh rings, but if your're looking for the |
| melted gold or silver into moulds and while the | | | | original, then head to Galway city where you can |
| metal was cooling they would carve intricate | | | | purchase a hand crafted Claddagh ring with the |
| designs into it. The monks had to be extremely | | | | original hallmark. |
| patient and skilled for one slip of the hand could | | | | When you visit Ireland, then why not take some |
| destroy hours of work. | | | | Irish jewelry home – it's a fantastic gift idea. |
| Today, Irish jewelry is one of the most sought | | | | The best way to choose some Irish jewelry is |
| after in the world. You can purchase celtic | | | | just to browse through the jewelry in a local gift |
| earrings, chains, rings, brooches, bracelets, | | | | jewelry shop. You may also stumble upon some |
| pendants and you can even get your hands on | | | | jewelry makers in rural towns in the west of |
| some beautifully designed celtic engagement and | | | | Ireland, so make for one of these if you're really |
| wedding rings! | | | | looking for the jewel in the crown! |
| Probably the most popular item of Irish jewelry is | | | | If you're after something a bit more classy and |
| the Claddagh ring. The Claddagh can also be found | | | | contemporary then maybe opt for Newbridge |
| in the form of earrings, chains, bracelets and | | | | jewelry. This handcrafted silver Irish jewelry is |
| necklaces. It has a very distinctive design, which | | | | very elegant and while quite fashionable, some |
| features two hands holding a heart with a crown | | | | collections also feature historic symbols of Ireland. |
| on it. A bit strange you might think, but these | | | | |