| The design of men's Celtic rings have always | | | | waited for him. Joyce presented her with a ring |
| been popular, but with more and more men | | | | which symbolised their friendship, love and loyalty. |
| wearing wedding rings they are now experiencing | | | | This was the first Claddagh ring. |
| yet another growth in popularity. | | | | 2. The Celtic Warrior Ring. While two men were |
| A wedding ring, unlike most other items of | | | | digging for potatoes they found a chalice. This |
| jewellery is not a fashion accessory, it is worn as | | | | was the Ardagh Chalice. It is believed to be either |
| a sign of commitment. The importance of this | | | | early ninth or late eight century and is the best |
| item of jewellery is well matched to the | | | | example of the craftsmanship of this time. The |
| symbolism behind the Celtic jewellery designs. | | | | design of the Warrior Ring is taken from the |
| There are many different styles of Celtic | | | | pattern and shield on the chalice. This become |
| jewellery, however, there are three which are | | | | associated with associated with strength and |
| increasingly being chosen as wedding rings and | | | | loyalty. |
| signs of commitment. Below is a brief description | | | | 3. The Weave and Knot Design Ring. These are |
| of these three designs. | | | | the simpler designs and are found on a lot of |
| 1. The Claddagh Ring. This is a very popular design | | | | Celtic pieces. The weave and the knot are |
| for both women and men's Celtic rings. The story | | | | symbols are partnership and companionship. |
| behind the Claddagh ring is that an Irish man was | | | | Within these styles there are many different |
| being shipped off to slavery and was kidnapped | | | | combinations of the symbols. You will now quite |
| by pirates and sold to a Moorish goldsmith. This | | | | often see a Claddagh ring with either the knot or |
| goldsmith soon realised that Robert Joyce was a | | | | weave pattern around the remaining band of the |
| talented man and he taught him the goldsmith | | | | ring. The Claddagh, as with many of the men's |
| trade and craft. When the slaves were given | | | | Celtic rings, can either have the shape of the ring |
| freedom in 1689 Joyce decided to return to | | | | formed by the pattern or the patterns can be |
| Ireland where he found that his sweetheart had | | | | more delicately engraved into a plain band. |