Can A Man Wear A Claddagh ring?Updated 2 years ago

Yes, they can, and they do! It's very common to see men in Ireland wearing Claddagh rings still. They are often given as gifts from family members for 18th or 21st birthdays these days. We know many men in their forties who were given a Claddagh ring on such occasions and who never took it off! Of course, they are also still given as gifts between lovers.

If you want an idea of the company you may keep by wearing a Claddagh ring, the following list may help!

• Daniel Day Lewis - The triple-Oscar winning actor was born in Britain but has lived in Ireland since the 1990s; he loves the country so much that he now has Irish citizenship.
• Bono - hardly surprising, we suppose, given that he fronts one of the most famous Irish rock groups in the world!
• Gabriel Byrne - Golden-voiced Gabriel, born in Dublin, is one of our most famous Hollywood faces.
• Colin Farrell - From his younger, more rebellious days, he's become a fine actor and representative of Ireland.
• Walt Disney - His grandparents came from Ireland, and he can be seen in photos and in statues wearing his Claddagh ring.
• President John F. Kennedy - JFK purchased a set of Claddagh rings when he visited Galway City with Jackie in 1963. He wore his ring often as a tangible reminder of his eight Irish grandparents.
• President Ronald Regan - He was presented with a Claddagh ring when he visited Ireland and wore it regularly.
• President Bill Clinton - Also gifted a Claddagh ring on his visit to Ireland.
• John Wayne - Perhaps his notion of country and western was the Irish west coast where the design originated?!
• Jim Morrison - According to his partner Patricia Kennealy's autobiography, they exchanged Claddagh rings as part of a commitment ceremony during the 1960s. 

If this astonishing assortment of masculinity doesn't convince you that Claddagh rings are not just for women, frankly, we're not sure what will!