You may have heard of the Claddagh Ring, but you may not know of its origins. The Claddagh, which is based on the Irish word "Cladach", meaning "stony beach", is a former fishing village in Galway City, Ireland.

The people of Claddagh traditionally kept Galway City supplied with fish throughout the centuries. These fishermen generally sailed in a beautiful boat known as the Irish Hooker.

This village was so distinct that it had its own king, who made decisions of the community and led the fishing fleet. The village was situated clearly across the river Corrib from Galway.

As the city started to expand, Claddagh soon became part of it. There is nothing left of the old thatched cottages that the fishermen once lived in. However, it is still a distinct community, with its own clearly defined area, and pride of the old traditions is still well alive.

Any tourist would love to visit this area of Galway. The Spanish Arch area is a vibrant, energetic area to visit in the day and night, with a myriad of fantastic restaurants, cafes, and traditional Irish pubs. You can enjoy a calm sit down beside the water to feed the swans, or take a walk along the Claddagh beach and watch the Galway Hookers sailing past.

There are many stories to the origin of the Claddagh ring. It is a beautifully distinctive piece of Irish Jewelry with its two hands clasping a heart, surmounted by a crown. The best one is the story of Richard Joyce who was bound on an over-seas adventure. Pirates commandeered his ship and he was sold into slavery. He was then bought by a skilled goldsmith who trained him in becoming a master craftsman. When he finally got home, he presented the love of his life with his beautifully crafted Claddagh ring and asked her to marry him.

So that is the history of the beautiful Claddagh village. Its walls are now long gone, but it has still managed to retain its old unique character. The atmosphere of the area is described best by the expression of the famous Claddagh ring: "let love and friendship reign forever".