The Claddagh Ring

New York Times best-selling author Malachy McCourt recounts the story of the Claddagh Ring, a timeless symbol of loyalty, friendship, and love worn by millions in Ireland and around the world. Following the success of his Running Press titles Danny Boy and Voices of Ireland, McCourt takes on another beloved theme of Irish heritage by exploring the story through vivid anecdotes, charming folk tales, and recent incidents. The Claddagh Ring, part of a group of "finger rings" dating from the Roman era, is formed by two clasped hands, symbolizing faith, love, loyalty, and friendship. Said to have been first crafted more than 400 years ago in Claddagh, a fishing village on Galway Bay, there is much more to the ring's tale than simple popular history, and McCourt is just the person to track it down and recount it with his stellar storytelling finesse.The titular bauble-a pair of hands clasping a crowned heart with the motto "Let love and friendship reign"-is a traditional Irish emblem passed from mothers to daughters and granddaughters, exchanged by betrothed couples or given to friends, and worn by Queen Victoria, Jennifer Aniston and the rock band U2. McCourt ... is wary of the subject's potential to evoke "dreary sentimentality, enough to make a person vomit," but he steadies himself and gives a pleasant rundown of associated lore-a classic Irish mixture of improbable legend and historical tragedy. -Publishers Weekly