Claddagh

{{About|the Irish village||Claddagh (disambiguation)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}

{{Use Hiberno-English|date=June 2020}}

{{Infobox settlement

|name = Claddagh

|native_name = {{Native name|ga|An Cladach|paren=omit}}

|settlement_type = District

|image_skyline = View of the Claddagh.tif

|image_caption =

|pushpin_map = Ireland

|pushpin_label_position = right

|pushpin_map_caption = Location in Ireland

|subdivision_type = Country

|subdivision_name = Ireland

|subdivision_type1 = Province

|subdivision_name1 = Connacht

|subdivision_type3 = County

|subdivision_name3 = County Galway

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|unit_pref = Metric

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|timezone1 = WET

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|coordinates = {{coord|53.269037|-9.056382|dim:100000_region:IE|format=dms|display=inline,title}}

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|blank_name = Irish Grid Reference

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The Claddagh ({{Irish place name|An Cladach|the seashore}}){{cite web | url = https://www.logainm.ie/en/1418170 | title = An Cladach/Claddagh | work = Placenames Database of Ireland | access-date = 16 April 2025}} is an area close to the centre of Galway, Ireland, where the River Corrib meets Galway Bay. It was formerly{{when|date=April 2016}} a fishing village, just outside the old city walls. It is just across the river from the Spanish Arch, which was the location of regular fish markets where the locals supplied the city with seafood as recently as the end of the 19th century.

The original village of thatched cottages was razed in the 1930s and replaced by a council-housing scheme.[http://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/6394 The Claddagh — the old and the new], Galway Advertiser, 18 December 2008

The Claddagh is most famous internationally for the Claddagh ring,{{cite web |url=https://www.emeraldislejewelry.com/blogs/news/16423517-claddagh-rings-emerald-isle-jewelry |title=Brief History of the Claddagh Ring |publisher=Emerald Isle Jewelry |date=6 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813042306/https://www.emeraldislejewelry.com/blogs/news/16423517-claddagh-rings-emerald-isle-jewelry |archive-date=13 August 2016}} which is popular among those of Irish heritage as both a friendship and wedding ring. This traditional design consists of two clasped hands holding a crowned heart, and symbolises love, friendship and loyalty.

The Claddagh area contains a national school, community centre and a Catholic church as well as the new Claddagh Arts Centre.

==Notable people==

• Bobby Beggs (1911–1993), Dublin-born Gaelic footballer who later played for Galway, lived in Claddagh{{cite news | first=Rory | last=Kerr | url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/fingalindependent/sport/gaa/skerries-stalwart-left-a-lasting-legacy-39324991.html | title=Skerries stalwart left a lasting legacy | date=3 July 2020 | work=Fingal Independent | via=Irish Independent}}
• Thomas Grady (1835–1891), recipient of the Victoria Cross in the Crimean War{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dg5dDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT137 |title=The Little Book of Galway |first=Helen |last=Lee |publisher=The History Press |date=23 July 2018 |page=137 |isbn=9780750989503}}