| Not sure you can get this book in the Boston area, but it can be ordered
from Kennys of Galway. If you're interested I'll dig up the phone #
and address for you.
This short review is from "The Emigrant" news letter. Copied without
permission. (Sorry Liam)
> > > > > > > > > BOOKS < < < < < < < < <
- In December I mentioned a new book on the Claddagh district of Galway
City, "Down by the Claddagh" by Peadar O'Dowd. I have since had a
chance to read this unique and comprehensive account of the old
Claddagh and found it both informative and entertaining. It is
published by Kennys of Galway, priced �17.95.
hope this helps,
Bob
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| Hi John and Elizabeth,
The Claddagh is a small community on the banks of the river Corrib
in Galway. Its name comes from the Irish word 'An Cladach' which
means 'The Stoney Shore'. There was a settlement in the Claddagh
area long before the founding of Galway city by the Normans in the
13th century; in fact there is evidence of a small fishing
community settled there as early as the 5th century.
The Claddagh folk were fisherfolk, harvesting the salmon and eels
of the river Corrib, and the abundant herring, mackerel and ling
of Galway Bay. With the arrival of the Normans under De Burgo in
1232, the local Irish Clans were forced to flee the Galway area.
The occupants of the Claddagh, however, were granted special status
on account of their unsurpassed skill in fishing. They were allowed
the first choice of food in city markets, and were exempt from doing
labours that would interfere with their fishing. Fish were exported
from the area in vast quantities.
This Irish speaking village thrived during and beyond medieval
times, for the most part untouched by wars, siege, or other
such hardships which befell the town on the opposite bank. By
1812, a census return showed 468 thatched cabins with 500
families in the Claddagh. By 1820, 2500 hands were employed
in the fishing industry, operating 250 sailing boats of
traditional design.
The village was self-contained, having its own customs, laws,
attire, including the famous ring, and even its own king and
queen. Towards the end of the last century, however, things
began to change. Many of the young men left to fight in the
First World War. The coming of trawlers changed the
economics of small-scale fishing, and the traditional fish
market where Claddagh women sold the catch of the day from
wicker baskets fell into abeyance. But worse was to follow.
In 1927, attention had been drawn by the medical authorities
to the unsanitary conditions in the village, and it was
decided to rebuild the entire village in a more modern,
uniform layout. A Compulsory Purchase Order was served on
the villagers in 1929, and by 1934, practically every one
of the gleaming white thatched cottages had been demolished.
Needless to say, the replacement houses lacked the character
and charm of the original dwellings.
Today, the Claddagh remains just as it was after the re-
construction. But the spirit of the Claddagh lives on.
A recent revival has saved the last of the unique fishing
fleet from extinction, and new boats of the old design are
again being made by local crafts people. It is a wonderful
sight to see the tan sails of these majestic wooden boats on
the horizon of Galway Bay, an image unchanged for hundreds
of years. The older men still congregate each evening on
the quay side and talk of the sea.
- - - - - - - -
I got most of the historical information from the book 'Old and New
Galway', also by Peadar O' Dowd.
- Kevin
|
| This is from a commercial brochure picked up at the Shannon Duty Free shop...
"It is thought that the earliest maker of the Claddagh ring was a Galway
goldsmith named Joyes, or Joyce, who learned the craft of goldsmithing in
a rather romantic way. He was taken from his home as a youth by Algerian
pirates, and spent many years in captivity in Tunis. There he acquired skill
as an artificer in precious metals. When William III came to the throne of
England in 1689, he concluded an agreement whereby all his subjects who were
held in captivity by the Moores were to be allowed to return to their homes.
Joyce's dusky master had become so attached to him that he attempted to keep
the Galwayman by offering him his most beautiful daughter as his bride.
This offer however, Joyce refused, and returned to his homeland to follow his career."
I have another, probably better, such tale in another brochure at home.
I'll try to get it typed in over the weekend.
-Jay
|
|
The way I learned it was:
The Claddagh Story began in the early 16th Century when Richard Joyce,
a native of Galway, was captured by Algerian Pirates while on their way
to the West Indies. He was sold as a slave to a wealthy Moorish
Goldsmith, who trained him in the craft. His master took a great liking
to him, and offered him his freedom, which Richard very happily
accepted.
He returned to his native country and settled down in the ancient
village of Claddagh, just outside of Galway City, where he designed and
made the first Claddagh rings. These became very popular with the local
people as a Betrothal and Wedding ring.
The design of the Claddagh is still the same:
the Hand signifies Frienship,
the Crown, Loyalty
And the Heart, Love.
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