Ireland; County Galway; city of Galway (Irish: Gaillimh): detail of giant traditional Claddagh Ring; advertisement at Thomas Dillons Claddagh Gold Jewellers shop (since 1750) with Claddagh Ring Museum. The Claddagh ring (Irish: f醝nne Chladaigh) is a traditional Irish ring made in style of the European finger rings called "fede rings" (faith rings). The tradition goes back to at least 1700; when first Claddagh rings were produced by Galway goldsmith masters. Its name derives from the nucleus of city of Galway; the old wooden fishing houses quarter of Claddagh. Legend wants; that once a certain Richard Joyce; a silversmith from Galway; was captured by pirates and corsairs from Algeria; in 1675; learned the craft by a goldsmith in Algeria; and was later on enslaved and returned to Galway. He invented the tradition of the Claddagh ring; as he brought back the first ring to his sweetheart and married her. Today; the Claddagh ring is a unique souvenir from Galway and a major attraction also in 2020; when Galway is European Capital of Culture; along with Rijeka; Croatia.