No. 703
The Claddagh Ring
(Version iii)
An original artist hand pulled print inspired by the Claddagh Ring – named after the Galway fishing village on the west coast of Ireland. A ring adorned with a crowned heart held by a pair of hands, the heart symbolizing love, the pair of hands representing friendship, and the crown signifying loyalty and fidelity.
This print is from our Irish Heritage and Traditions series which celebrates our Irish Heritage in a contemporary way.
- An original artist hand-pulled print. Not a digital reproduction.
- Designed and printed in Ireland
- Size: 24” x 36” (61xm x 91cm)
- Fits standard “off the shelf” USA and IKEA poster frame sizes – therefore no expensive custom framing
- Premium quality artist inks and paper
- Tube for easy transportation and protection of poster.
No. 703 The Claddagh Ring (Version iii)
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The Claddagh Ring Story
PASSED down from generation to generation, the story of the Claddagh Ring is one of romance centered on the Galway native Richard Joyce, and Margaret; the woman he was destined to marry. It is a story demonstrating the power of love over adversity, and loyalty over abandonment. Overcoming the misfortune that held them apart for over fourteen years, to show his love, Richard crafted a special ring- the Claddagh Ring.
In the latter half of the 1600s Richard Joyce, a fisherman and member of the Joyce Clan, was due to marry his sweetheart Margaret. An ambitious, hardworking man, Richard wanted to have a good life for them both so he set sail from Galway to seek his fortune in the New World. On route, the ship was intercepted by Algerian pirates who captured all on board and subsequently sold them into slavery. Joyce, the youngest onboard was sold as a slave to a skilled Moorish goldsmith in Tangier.
Quickly recognizing Richard’s talents and seeing his potential, the Turkish craftsman trained him as his apprentice, and overtime, Richard became a master goldsmith. Despite the distraction of his success Richard yearned for his country of Ireland and his one true love Margaret. With thoughts of her always close to his heart, he fashioned the first Claddagh Ring which he named after the Galway fishing village. It was adorned with a crowned heart held by a pair of hands, the heart symbolizing love, the pair of hands representing friendship, and the crown signifying loyalty and fidelity.
In 1689 the newly crowned King of England, William III came to an agreement with Algiers to release all his subjects held in slavery, Richard Joyce found himself once more a free man. By this time Richard was 14 years or more in slavery and his Moorish master had become fond of his company and admirer of his talents. In an attempt to entice Richard to stay, his master offered him half of his wealth and his only daughter’s hand in marriage. However, Richard declined and left for Galway where his sweetheart Margaret, having remaining true to him in his long absence, awaited his return.
Upon his arrival back in Galway Richard presented his beloved Margaret with the Claddagh ring- the physical declaration of Love and Friendship reigning forever, and they became husband and wife.
In Galway, he established himself as a prominent goldsmith and duly prospered. He flourished as a craftsman in gold and silver in Galway up to about 1730. Some of his work, including rings, silver chalices stamped with his mark, an anchor signifying hope and bearing the initials R.I., are still in existence. Many of these pieces are held in Museums and collections throughout Ireland.
Fittingly, the symbols he created of love, loyalty and friendship have become synonymous with countless love stories across the globe ever since.
Claddagh Fishing Village
The Ring takes its name from the small fishing village which was once close to Galway city, but is now part of the city.
The Claddagh
The Claddagh or ‘An Cladach’ meaning ‘the stony shore’, is a notable area in what is now Galway City.
Claddagh was once an ancient fishing village outside of the Galway City Walls, dating from the fifth century. They had their own king, who led the fishing fleet and settled disputes in the community.
The people lived in thatched cottages, had their own customs and distinctive way of dressing. The ladies wore red petticoats and black shawls.
The people of the Claddagh sailed and fished in the famous Galway Hooker boats – a traditional Irish fishing boat. Their daily catch sold at the nearby market at the Spanish Arch in Galway city.
The Claddagh Village, Galway , Ireland. c. 1905
View over to Galway city from The Claddagh village. c 1841
Rules of wearing The Claddagh Ring
The Claddagh Ring with its long tradition is full of meaning. Not only does every element of it symbolise something – – but also how it is worn.
On the left hand with the point of the heart toward the fingertips:
the wearer is engaged.
On the left hand with the point of the heart toward the wrist:
the wearer is married.
On the right hand with the point of the heart toward the fingertips:
the wearer is single and may be looking for love.
On the right hand with the point of the heart toward the wrist:
the wearer is in a relationship.
Why this Poster Print is special
Our posters are designed and printed in Ireland with the greatest of care and attention.
We love what we do, and we hope that love shines through in our work.
An original print
Our poster prints are original artist pulled prints. They are original artworks in their own right. They are not digital reproductions of existing artwork.
Skilfully printed by artists and print making artisans using traditional print making methods.
Each print is inked, printed and pulled from the press individually, one at a time ensuring they are off the highest quality.
As they are original artworks there may be slight variations in ink density and coverage between prints. This is a characteristic of original art prints.
Designed and printed in Ireland
The Aran Art Studio is based in Galway on the west coast of Ireland.
All our work is designed by us and printed by skilled artists within Ireland. We never mass-produce work from another country.
Our forte is to represent a traditional Irish image, location, person, custom or tradition in a contemporary way.
As artists and craftspeople we strive to make art that is beautiful to look at; made to the highest quality; and that establishes a meaningful connection with the buyer.
Size and impact
We take our poster art seriously. We like to create prints that are big, bold and really create an impact.
Our largest prints are our 24″ x 36″ (61cm x 91cm) prints. This is also known as American Poster size. These attention grabbing prints have a clear, attractive, eye-catching messages, while also being a great piece of art.
It is often commented that our work is very “Irish”, Many of our customers are tourists and expats overseas, looking for a bit of home – something that reminds them of Ireland.
Standard frame size
We have puopsely designed our prints to fit standard size frames. We do this so that customers can easily find ready made ‘off the shelf” frames that do not cost too much. There is no need for expensive custom framing.
Our largest print 24″ x 26″ (61cm x 91cm) fits a standard USA Poster frame available throughout the USA. They are also available in IKEA stores worldwide.
Highest quality
A feature of our prints is the paper and inks used. We use only artist quality materials designed for fine art works.
The particular characteristics of this prestigious and deluxe paper is its light embossed texture and its natural tactile feel. The acid-free paper is environmentaly friendly being of course produced elemental chlorine free (ECF) and is FSC-certified.
Well presented in tube
Many of our customers purchase our prints as a gift for others. With this in mind we present our prints in an attractive and functional art tube.
The tube makes for easy and safe transportation of the artwork, whether in a suitcase or mail.
The wide diameter of the tube means the poster does not have to be rolled too tight and risk damaging the paper fibres.
How to unroll and care for your print
Your print is sold and presented in an art tube for protection and presentation. The tube is very convenient for storing and transporting your print and protects it from damage when you are transporting it or receiving it in the mail. It also makes it easier to present to someone as a gift.
But when art prints have been rolled up in a tube, laying them flat can become a bit of a challenge. And sometimes the rolling can cause minor creases in the paper.
Please note that when you hang or frame a poster – any minor creases and wrinkles will disappear.
Here’s how to flatten a print to avoid creases and wrinkles.
Method 1: Roll the Poster Back on Itself
- Remove the endcap from the tube.
- Remove your poster from the tube by tipping it until it slides partly out. You can catch the protective brown kraft paper corner to help coax it out. Do not try and pinch or pull it out vigorously from inside the tube as this can cause wrinkles and creases
- Roll the poster out on a clean, flat surface so that it’s design down
- Ensure the outside of the tube is clean and undamaged. Carefully roll the poster around the outside of the tube, the opposite way to which it has previously been rolled
- Secure with an easy to remove sticker or weight. Some find it easer to wrap a sheet of plain paper around the centre and secure that with the tape – that way there is no way of damaging the print paper.
- Leave this for an hour
- Remove sticker gently and unroll to reveal a flat poster
Method 2: Weigh the Poster Down
- Repeat steps 1 & 2 from method 1
- Roll out the poster on a clean, flat and hard surface (like a table)
- Ideally if you could place a clean flat sheet of cardboard, wood or glass on top, it helps, but not always neccessary.
- Place something heavy on each corner and in the middle to weigh it down. Its a good idea to place clean paper undermeath your objects to keep the print clean. Books would work as an object.
- Leave this for 24 hours
- Remove weights to reveal a flat poster
Remove any creases - Iron Method
- Place the poster face down atop a sheet of cardboard on a clean flat work surface.
- Plug in the iron to LOWEST setting WITHOUT steam. Smooth a white sheet or thin ironable cloth over the poster. Iron the creased area of the poster by moving the iron back and forth over the sheet in the appropriate area.
- Keep the iron moving to avoid burns.
- Lift the sheet from time to time to see if the crease has disappeared. If not, iron some more.
TIP: A slightly humid environment will help your poster flatten between the cardboard pieces more quickly than an extremely dry environment.
If the poster doesn’t respond to the iron method, place a towel over the poster and use a LOW steam setting, using very little water. The steam will relax the crease in the poster. Keep the iron moving to avoid burns. Lift the sheet from time to time to see if the crease has disappeared. If not, iron some more.
Do not turn the iron’s temperature too high or it may burn or discolor the poster. Likewise, keep the iron moving to avoid burning the paper.
Please note that when you hang or frame a poster – any minor creases and wrinkles will disappear.
Framing Ideas
Important: Never leave any artwork or print material in direct sunlight.
We have designed our prints to fit standard size frames. The convenience of a standard size makes it easy to get ready-made frames to fit, therefore no expensive custom framing needed.
Where to get Frames for our prints
You can get standard size frames at most framing stores or readily available online. You can also get them from any IKEA store worldwide.
Below are some examples of how the prints would look in some standard size IKEA frames 61cm x 91cm
24" x 36" (61cm x 91cm) Black Frame
24" x 36" (61cm x 91cm) White Frame
24" x 36" (61cm x 91cm) Wood Frame
At a Glance
Our Poster Prints
Original Art Print
Our prints are original art prints, each one is individually printed by skilled printmakers and artists.
A link to a Proud Irish Heritage
Our prints nearly always have an Irish theme. They can celebrate a persons link and association with Ireland.
Great gift for any home
Whether purchased for oneself, friends or family, our prints are designed to be beautiful, powerful works of art.
Beautifully made and well presented
Our prints come in a strong kraft art tube that both protects the print in transport and easy to present as a gift.
Designed to fit standard size frames, therefore doing away with expensive custom framing.
Made with love and respect in Ireland
We love what we do and are extremely proud of our Irish heritage. We hope it shows in our work and the quality of our products which are made to the highest of standards.
Our prints are designed and made by us in Galway, Ireland.