Claddagh Ring Joins The Dollar Drive
From The Connacht Tribune, Saturday October 13, 1956
Introduction
The CladdaghRing, ancient emblem of romance and one of the most popular Irish souvenirs with American visitors, may play an important role in attracting an increased number of Canadian and American tourist to this country. A new ballad, "My Old Claddagh Ring" the first recording of which has just been released, is expected to boost the fame of the Ring throughout the United States. A progressive and expanding travel club in Canada is considering making the Ring the identity badge for club members.
The song was composed and set to music by Mr. P. B. Kelly, of Ballina, now resident in Dublin, who is the author of a number of ballads as well as the original Tostal song brought to the U.S.A. a few years ago by Major General Hugo MacNeill. Mr. Kelly is president of the Parnell commemoration committee in Dublin and is a brother of Mr. C. Kelly P.C., Devon Park, Salthill.
The composition of "My Old Claddagh Ring" was inspired by the fact that Mr. Kelly had just received a gift of a Claddagh Ring belonging to a relative, a famous Ferrian, P. W. Nally, of Balla, Co. Mayo, who died in 1890 after being released from Mountjoy Jail. The song was first played by band leader Johnny Butler on the Cruise of the Irish to New York on St. Patrick's Day this year, and a recording is in increasing demand on radio requests programmes. The recording is by H.M.V. and the baritone is Sean Mooney. The accompaniment is somewhat weak and the possibility of having a recording made with orchestration is being considered with a particular view to distribution in the U.S..On the back of the song sheet is a history of the Claddagh Ring compiled by Messrs. Stephen Faller Ltd. Galway.
Origin of Ring
The origin of the world famed ring is shrouded in mystery. Tradition has it that the earliest maker of the Claddagh Ring was a Galway goldsmith named Joyes or Joyce who learned his craft under unusual and romantic circumstances. He was kidnapped by Algerian pirates while a youth and spent many years in captivity in Tunis where he acquired skill as an artificer in precious metals. In 1689, when William III came to the English throne, he reached agreement with the Moors whereby all his subjects held by the Moors in captivity were released and so Joyce is said to have returned to Galway having refused handsome bribes offered by his former master to remain in Tunis. Samples of his ecclesiastical work still exist and he apparently flourished in the city as a silver and gold worker until 1730. It is not quite clear why the Ring became so closely associated with the Claddagh; it was worn all over the country. It is clear however, in the Claddagh the ring enjoyed special popularity; it was kept as an heirloom and passed form mother to daughter. They were used as wedding rings regularly by the villagers. Rings similar to the Claddagh Ring have been found in Brittany and Spain.
Canadian Interest
From Ontario, Canada, comes a request for information about and samples of Claddagh Rings; the Ontario Travel Club is seeking an identity badge for members and the Claddagh Ring has been suggested. The club president, Florence Craddock of Cumberland Ave. Hamilton Ontario, first sent her query to Dublin without success. Board Failte learned of it and referred it to Galway ad the Travel Club was immediately supplied with all information abut the ring. The club president was so pleased with the reception given her request in Galway that she plans to visit the city next year - in the future she may lead a party of several hundred Canadians to Ireland. Recently Miss Craddock, whose father came from Cork and whose mother came form Mayo, led a party of 300 club members to New York and other U.S. centres. The club is now expanding and looking across the Atlantic.
Next May they will make their first trip to Europe in two planes, Miss Craddock will come to Galway during the tour and she hopes eventually to lead large tours of Canadians to this country.