Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
in Claddagh ring (Irish fáinne Chladach), from village of Claddagh, County Gallway. The village name is literally "stony beach."
Wiktionary
Wikipedia
Claddagh is an area close to the centre of Galway city, where the Corrib River meets Galway Bay. It was formerly a fishing village, just outside the old city walls. It is just across the river from the Spanish Arch, which was the location of regular fish markets where the locals supplied the city with seafood as recently as the end of the 19th century. People have been gathering seafood and fishing from the area for millennia. It is one of the oldest former fishing villages in Ireland - its existence having been recorded since the arrival of Christianity in the 5th century.
During the 19th century the Claddagh attracted many visitors, including writers who spread its fame. The original village of thatched cottages was razed in the 1930s and replaced by a council-housing scheme.
The Claddagh is most famous internationally for the Claddagh ring, which is popular among those of Irish heritage as both a friendship and wedding ring. This traditional design consists of two clasped hands holding a crowned heart, and symbolises love, friendship and loyalty.
The Claddagh area contains a national school, Community Centre and a Catholic Church as well as the new Claddagh Arts Centre.
Notable natives of the area include Thomas Grady, recipient of the Victoria Cross.
Claddagh can refer to:
- Claddagh, Galway, part of Galway city centre, Ireland, formerly a fishing village on the old city outskirts.
- Claddagh Records, a record label.
- The Claddagh ring, a traditional friendship or wedding ring that originated in the Claddagh village.
- Claddagh River, A river in County Cavan, Ireland.
Usage examples of "claddagh".
She ripped the chain from her neck and dropped the Claddagh necklace he had given her so long ago into his palm, then flinched when his destroyed fingers closed over it.
There was a Claddagh ring on the middle finger—two gold hands clasped round a gold heart.
He removed the Claddagh wedding ring she had given him, stared briefly at its clasped hands and crowned heart, and then threw it into the recycler.
There was a Claddagh ring on the middle finger - two gold hands clasped round a gold heart.
The girl was pulling at her finger - at the Claddagh ring, the entwined hands round the gold heart.
Fionna signed her name through the bottom right corner of the photo over the back of the left hand and wrist, circling the capital F around a Claddagh hands-and-crowned-heart ring on the forefinger.