Claddagh Promise Ring is still, after so many years, an extremely popular piece of jewelry. Women, men, and teenagers alike can be seen wearing this ring in silver or gold, with or without gemstones. The name Claddagh comes from one of Ireland's oldest fishing villages just outside Galway City, in the Western part of Ireland. A fisherman by the name of Richard Joyce was captured while fishing near his village by pirates and brought to Algeria. Sold into slavery, he quickly learned the craft of jewelry making from his master who was a skilled goldsmith. While as a slave, he longed for his loved one back in his old fishing village. He was later released from slavery in 1670 when King William III ascended to the throne.

