Irish Rings have a rich and storied tradition going back some 4,000 years. The two most popular types of Irish Rings are the Claddagh and the Celtic designs. There are other famous ring designs such as the Two Hearts and, of course, the Shamrock. The elegant appearance of Irish and Celtic design is second to none. The Claddagh can be given in friendship or as a wedding ring. The design originated in the Irish fishing settlement of Claddagh, located just outside the city of Galway. The ring was first produced in the seventeen hundreds. History has it that Queen Mary of England was given a Claddagh ring during a visit to Ireland and from that time its popularity soared. The Claddagh features a crown with two hands clasping a heart. The characteristic of these symbol are often said to correspond to the persona of love (the heart), friendship (the hands), and allegiance (the crown). The Celtic Cross can be seen throughout Ireland on churches and cemeteries.