The Claddagh ring design has been around for years and years, but not many people know about the history and symbolism behind it. Irish Claddagh Ring Folklore The legend of the Claddagh ring goes back to Ireland during the 16th century. In the 1670s a fishing boat from the Claddagh village was captured by an Algerian pirate ship while travelling to Latin America. The entire crew, including a young man named Richard Joyce was sold into slavery. Joyce was engaged and was to be married within the same week of his capture. The wealthy goldsmith who bought Joyce had taught him the art of being a...