Irish Wedding Traditions- The Claddagh Ring

Legend of the Claddagh Ring

     One of the most popular rings that often is used as an engagement or wedding ring is the Claddagh Ring. This ring has a wonderful story associated with it, and to this day it retains it’s rich Irish history which has been shared from generation to generation.
  According to 16th-century Irish folk lore, a fishing boat from the village of Claddagh was captured by Algerian pirates and the crew was sold into slavery. One of the crew was a young man by the name of Richard Joyce, who was to be married the same week he was captured. Instead, Richard found himself far away from his love and his homeland.
   He was sold to a wealthy Moorish goldsmith who taught him the trade and, eventually, he became skilled enough to design a ring of special significance: the hands were for friendship, the crown was for loyalty, and the heart was for love.
  Years went by, but Richard never forgot his sweetheart. Somehow, he managed to escape and make his way home to Ireland. When he arrived back in Claddagh, he discovered that his girl had never married. They were wed immediately, and the ring he gave her was the one he had designed and made while he was a slave.
  Over the years, the design became extremely popular as a betrothal or wedding ring and took on even more significance. Worn on the right hand with the heart pointing out means that the heart is uncommitted. Worn on the same hand with the heart pointing in means that the heart is taken. Worn on the left hand with the heart pointing in means "Let Love and Friendship reign forever, never to be separated."

  In the old days, Claddagh rings were worn widely by women on the west coast and off-shore islands of Galway. Often representing the sole major investment of a fishing family, they were handed down from mother to daughter. Now, many couples, even those not of Irish descent, are choosing the Claddagh symbol for their engagement and wedding rings. They are widely available, as are a wide range of other Claddagh accessories from earrings to cuff links. But one word of caution: it is said to be very bad luck for a person to purchase a Claddagh ring for themselves. It must be given or received as a gift.

Irish Wedding Traditions - The Dress!

Make sure to follow these rules while shopping for your Irish wedding gown! 

Marry in white everything’s right

Marry in blue lover be true

Marry in pink spirit’s will sink

Marry in gray live far away

Marry in brown live out of town

Marry in green ashamed to be seen

Marry in yellow ashamed of your fellow

Marry in black wish you were back

Marry in red wish you were dead

Marry in tan he’ll be a loved man

Marry in pearl you’ll live in a whirl

Irish Wedding Traditions - Hand Fasting (Tying The Knot)

 

  Handfasting is an ancient Celtic custom common in Ireland in which a man and woman come together at the start of their marriage relationship.  During the ritual, the couple holds hands, right hand in right hand, and left hand in left with their wrists crossed.  A ribbon or cord is then wrapped around their wrists in a figure 8, signifying infinity.  Many people say this is where the saying "tying the knot" originated from. 

  I've had a few couples that have included handfasting in their ceremonies, but I wanted to learn a bit more about the history of the ritual.  And I was pretty surprised by what I found!  The handfasting ritual recognized just one of many forms of marriages permitted under the ancient Irish law. The man and woman who came together for the handfasting agreed to stay together for a specific period of time, usually a year-and-a-day. At the end of the year the couple faced a choice. They could enter into a longer-term "permanent" marriage contract, renew their agreement for another year, or go their separate ways.

  Maybe not the most romantic of origins, but isn't that almost always the case? :)

Slainte!

Irish Wedding Traditions - The Lucky Horseshoe

Horseshoes have always served as good luck charms for many people, Irish brides have brought the custom into their weddings in a couple different ways. One traditional way is to tie a porcelain horseshoe to the bridal bouquet or the brides wrist. Some brides will even stitch a horseshoe charm into her gown to be with her for good luck the entire day. If you're looking for a wedding gift for an Irish couple, a real iron horseshoe for them to hang in their home would be a way to keep the luck with them always.

One word of Irish wisdom though, make sure to always have the open ends turned up so the luck and good fortune won't spill out!!

Slaite!

Irish Wedding Traditions-Aitin' the Gander

Have you ever wondered where the phrase "his goose is cooked" came from? Oddly enough, it came from a great Irish tradition called Aitin' the Gander. This was when the groom was invited over by the bride's family to their house the day of the wedding. A goose was cooked in his honor symbolizing the beginning of the wedding day celebrations. After his "goose was cooked" there was no turning back! Romantic, huh? :)

Slainte!

Irish Wedding Traditions - The Blessing

I absolutely love this time of year! March 1st comes around and not only do we know that spring is just around the corner, but it means Irish season has officially begun! My family has always been very proud of our Irish history all year round, but during March we get to celebrate the culture and traditions with the rest of the world. If you take a couple of minutes to look around, you'll see Irish bands, parades, and fundraisers all around for the next few weeks.

For the past few years I've wanted to take the opportunity to share some Irish Wedding Traditions that I've come across over the years. Each year March has come and gone and I've not gathered my Irish thoughts together to share. But this is the year! All thru March I'll post some of my favorite traditions, sayings, and customs that relate to weddings in Ireland.

I thought it would be fitting to start March off with sharing a traditional Irish Wedding Blessing. I hope you enjoy the Irish Wedding traditions, Slainte!