Everything is so much more fun in a new place when you are joined by old friends that know your personality, your humor, and the things you enjoy! On Wednesday, our girlie threesome spent the day a the levee. It was kinda sad, because Wednesday just happens to be one of the more sane and quiet days at the levee, but that didn't phase us.
For dinner we dined at a fancy Irish Pub called The Claddaugh Irish Pub, pronounced "Claw-da". Named after the Claddagh ring, the elements of this symbol that make up the ring are often said to correspond to the qualities of love (the heart), friendship (the hands), and loyalty (the crown). The expression which was associated with these symbols in the giving of the ring was: "Let love and friendship reign." What a perfect place for us girls to gather, eat, and gossip....so we did!
In our curiosity, our waitress was very free with the story of the naming of the pub and the details of the Claddagh ring. The story of The Claddagh begins with an American Restaurateur taking a job across the pond with an Irish Restaurateur. The American moves with his wife to the Emerald Isle, where he lives and works for the next two years. Although they both fall for the charm and friendliness of the pubs of Ireland, they knew their place was back in the States with their families and friends. At this time the American had an idea, which was to bring the best of what Ireland had to offer to the States.
The American knew that although there were some “authentic” Irish pubs already in the States, he also knew that few brought the “Craic” of the Irish to their pubs. “Craic” (pronounced “crack”) means a fun, friendly, and exhuberant environment. He also knew that few brought the great food that so many of the true Irish pubs had to offer.
The first step was to design each pub with a number of different looks to allow the guest to get a feel for the diversity of pubs in Ireland. Second was to bring over much of the interiors and furnishings directly from Ireland. Third was finding great locations to make the Irish Pub experience accessible to as many people as possible. And last but not least, was to produce a menu which brought the tastes of Ireland to America while also providing the traditional American favorites.
With extensive planning and hard work, the first Claddagh Irish Pub opened in August of 2000 in Downtown Indianapolis. Today there are 17 pubs in operation.
The story continues today...
The pub definitely maintained the Irish theme. There were very elegant irish stained glass images mounted into the woodwork on the benches. There were superior carvings, candles, music, and decor that totally gave everyone in the presence a very Irish feel.
The Claddagh Ring, is a Gaelic symbol, which represents "Love, Friendship and Loyalty" was carved into woodworkings and graced areas all around the pub. The Claddagh consists of two hands, a heart and a crown. The HANDS = Friendship...The HEART = Love...The CROWN = Loyalty "With these hands I give you my heart and I crown it with my love."
The Claddagh Ring belongs to a group of rings called “Faith”, or sometimes called “Fede”, finger –rings. They are distinguished by having the bezel cut or cast in the form of two clasped hands, symbolizing trust or plighted truth. There are several variations of the fede ring, the commonest being that in which the hands clasp a heart between them. This version to which the name "Claddagh Ring" has been given is that in which the clasped heart is surmounted by a crown.
The Claddagh ring was commonly used as a wedding ring for the fisher folk in the Aran Islands and Connemara in the 1700's. Tradition has it that in the Claddagh these rings were handed down from mother to daughter. They were worn with the crown towards the knuckle on betrothal and on marriage with the crown towards the nail. The earliest examples that can be dated are stamped R.J., the initials of Richard Joyce, a goldsmith working in Galway about 1700. Two main varieties of the Claddagh Ring are made, one with a high and the other with a low crown, and they are made in three main sizes, for men, women and children.
There are several popular versions of the origins of the Claddagh Ring, the two best known of which attribute it to the Joyce family, one of the so-called “Tribes of Galway”. A family associated with the city of Galway rather than the Claddagh.
Margaret Joyce married firstly Domingo de Rona, a wealthy Spanish merchant who traded with Galway. He died shortly afterwards, leaving her a considerable fortune. She later married Oliver French, a mayor of Galway in 1596. Margaret used her fortune to build numerous bridges in Connaught and was providentially rewarded for her good work and charity by an eagle that dropped a gold ring, the original “Claddagh Ring “on to her lap.
Richard Joyce, a native of Galway, was captured by Algerian pirates while on his way to the West Indies. He was sold as a slave to a wealthy Moorish goldsmith who trained him in the craft. In 1689 he was released from slavery, along with other Irish subjects, as a result of a demand from William 111 of England. The Moor offered him his only daughter in marriage and half his wealth if he would agree to remain in Algiers, but Joyce refused and returned home to his native city. He brought with him the idea of the “Claddagh Ring” -some of the stamped R.J. and bearing the mark of an anchor (thought to signify hope) are believed to be his work.
The atmosphere at the pub provided spirits, food, live entertainment, a variety of natives with awesome accents, and gorgeous backdrop overlooking the Ohio river into Cincinnati. Our threesome had an excellent time chatting about old days and new days. Gossiping and remembering old times -- like that wedding where mom totally violated the private areas (had to be there, sorry guys). Taking photos, of course I had to include those.... and sipping on amazing wine and other spirits.
What made the evening even more amazing, was that my girlie came to see me, and it was wonderful...
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