Although I live in Boleybeg, my mom grew up in the Claddagh and in a way, so did I. The draw of the water and the melody of the streets is what makes this place my fondest childhood memory. Today, I want to delve into its rich history.
The Claddagh or Cladach, which translates to stony shore in Irish, is recognised as the oldest fishing village in Ireland. In 1232, it was excluded from the wall that the Anglo-Normans built around Galway, leading it to become a secluded and unique community which maintained its own tongue and lived its own traditions and customs.
To sustain a prosperous life and allow profits to be made, the community turned to fishing as its main livelihood. The men of the Claddagh had sole rights to all fish in Galway Bay, allowing them to have a monopoly and dominate the market.
However, a life of fishing and only fishing will leave you quite superstitious around, you guessed it, fishing. These men had a superstition about everything under the sun. If you saw a red-haired woman on your way out to the sea, your boat would be turned around so quickly that your head would spin.
Not a single boat left the docks without salt and ashes for spiritual protection. With their perception of the sea as deeply spiritual, unpredictable and powerful, they used salt to ward off evil, bad luck and malevolent spirits, while simultaneously representing purity and preservation to ask for a bountiful catch.
The ashes, which were typically sourced from home, symbolised the family, home, and continuity that protected against drowning or misfortune. At its peak, the Claddagh held 468 thatched cottages, housing roughly 500 families. When the medieval wall eventually came down, the ancient village merged with the rest of the town, creating the beautiful, charming Galway we all love today.
An outbreak of Tuberculosis in 1927 put an end to the private community. Because of this health hazard, the inhabitants were relocated and eventually, in 1934, the remains of these historic buildings were destroyed and replaced with council housing. However, the final King of Claddagh lived until 1972.
Would this be a piece on the Claddagh if I didn’t mention the Claddagh ring at least once? Well, Richard Joyce was kidnapped by pirates and sold as a slave to a goldsmith in the West Indies, where he learned how to craft jewellery.
He returned home in the 17th century, and ever the businessman, he founded a business, creating the symbol of the Claddagh, two hands clasping a crowned heart, which signified love, friendship and loyalty.
If you look around today, nine times out of ten you will spot the Claddagh symbol, whether it’s a ring, earrings or on a tote bag.
