What do JFK, Jennifer Aniston, Bono, Grace Kelly and Buffy the Vampire Slayer have in

common?

Celtic jewellery has been spotted on celebrities, in movies, and on television bringing 17th century
design jewellery into the spotlight. Celtic Jewellery Site builds on this growing trend by offering Celtic
rings, pendants, earrings, and brooches. The most popular design in pop culture is the Claddagh, but
Celtic Crosses, Trinity Knots, and Triskeles also make appearances.

The Claddagh ring is a traditional Irish symbol consisting of 2 hands holding a crowned heart
representing love, loyalty, and friendship. The popular design has been worn by movie stars, musicians,
political figures, and royalty. One of the first movie stars to be seen wearing a claddagh ring was Julia
Roberts in 1995. It is speculated that it was given to her by Daniel Day Lewis. Sienna Miller wore a
claddagh ring given to her by Jude Law even after their break up in 2006. She continued to wear the
heart pointed inward showing she was taken. Jennifer Aniston and Tate Donovan exchanged claddaghs
to celebrate their first anniversary.

The Duke, John Wayne, was seen wearing the claddagh ring, as was his “Quiet Man” co-star Maureen
O’Hara. Dermot O’Leary always carries one that his mother gave him, although he does not wear it.
Irish actor Gabriel Byrne has been seen wearing one.

Other stars spotted with a claddagh ring include Rebecca Gayheart, Barry Fitzgerald, Mia Farrow,
 and even Walt Disney (Below is the Claddagh ring on Walt’s statue at Disneyland).

Musicians wearing the claddagh include Oasis singer Liam Gallagher, who wore a claddagh ring after
his 1996 engagement to Patsy Kensit. His brother Noel was seen wearing a ruby studded one. In her
book Strange Days, Patricia Kennealy explains how in a pagan handfasting ceremony, she gave Doors
front man Jim Morrison a gold claddagh ring and he gave her a silver one. Country Music Singer
Maura O’Connell wears a claddagh wedding band that was passed down through her family over the
generations. U2 singer Bono has often been seen wearing a claddagh ring. Bing Crosby was also
known to wear one. A claddagh ring is referred to in the Hold Steady song “Your Little Hoodrat
Friend”. The design has also been used as a logo by Scottish rock band Simple Minds.

Even political figures have been seen with the design. President John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy
were given a set of claddagh rings upon their visit to Galway in 1963. He was often photographed
wearing a claddagh. The people of Galway presented Ronald Reagan with a ring in 1984. In 2002,
Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern and his then partner Celia Larkin were seen wearing the rings. Bill
Clinton and Winston Churchill also wore one on occasion.

Dillons of Galway was established in 1750 and was granted the Royal Patent, as they are the original
makers of the claddagh. The Claddagh was the only ring made in Ireland that was worn by Queen
Victoria, Queen Alexandra and King Edward VII. They were also worn by King George V. Princess
Grace and Prince Rainier of Monaco were given a claddagh design brooch and cufflinks in Connemara
marble in 1962.

The claddagh has also made its way into movies. Oliver Stone’s 1991 film “The Doors” portrays the
hand fasting ceremony in which Jim Morrison and Patricia Kennealy exchanged claddagh rings.
Claddaghs are worn by the leading characters in the 2004 film “Ladder 49”. Edward Norton’s
character Worm wears a claddagh in the 1998 movie “Rounders”.

It also appears in the 1991 film “Dead Again”. In the movie “Powder”, Sheriff Barnum’s wedding ring
is a claddagh. The character Dante Hicks can be seen wearing a claddagh ring in “Clerks I” and
“Clerks II”. Barry gives Audrey a claddagh ring in the movie “The Brothers McMullen”. The door
knocker on Carol’s apartment in the 1997 film “As Good as it Gets” is a claddagh. A number of Irish-
American characters wear claddagh rings in the 1998 movie “Monument Ave”.

It also has appeared on the small screen. Sales of Claddagh rings skyrocketed after it was seen on
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” in 1998. Angel, a vampire originally from Ireland, gave Buffy a claddagh
ring for her 17th birthday. He also wears one.
Claddaghs have appeared in several scenes of the show “Brotherhood”, often worn by character
Michael Caffee. A claddagh ring was presented as a birthday gift in two episodes of “Surprise the
Ring”. On “Days of Our Lives”, Bo gave Carly a claddagh ring. The claddagh also appeared on the TV
show “Friends”. In the episode “The One with Rachel’s Book” a claddagh appears on the magna
doodle that hangs on the door of Joey and Rachel’s apartment.

Other Celtic symbols have also made their way into pop culture. Most notably is the Triquetra or
trinity symbol, which represents the coming together of three things. The symbol appeared on the cover
of the Book of Shadows on the TV show “Charmed” and the trinity is a recurring theme throughout the
series.

The symbol also appears on the Led Zeppelin IV album as the symbol for bassist John Paul Jones.

The band P.O.D. also often uses the symbol on many of their CD covers.
A triquetra pendant appears in the film Constantine and protects whoever wears it.
The triskele has appeared on an ancient book of spells and on a branding stick on the TV show
“Eastwick”. The symbol, made up of three spirals, also represents the coming together of three things.
On the show, the symbol is connected with witchcraft and will reveal its powers and connection to the
characters over time.

A triskelion also appeared on the TV series “Threshold”. There is an alien planet named Triskelion on
Episode 16 season 2 “The Gamesters of Triskelion” on Star Trek. Triskelion is also the headquarters of
Marvel Comics’ “The Ultimates”.

In the film “Boondock Saints” and “Boondock Saints II”, the MacManus brothers wear matching Celtic
Cross necklaces.

Clogau Welsh Gold is some of the rarest in the world. The Royal family has been wearing wedding
rings made from this gold since 1923. Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother received one on her
marriage to King George VI in April 1923. The same gold nugget was used to make the ring that was
given to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Prince Phillip the Duke of Edinburgh at their wedding in
November 1947. Other Royalty that have worn Clogau welsh gold include Princess Margaret the
Countess of Snowdon (1960), Princess Ann the Princess Royal (1973), Diana Princess of Wales
(1981), Prince Charles (1981) and Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of
Cornwall (2005).
Clogau gold is not just worn by royalty. The company also created exclusive Clogau gold cufflinks for
Welsh rugby legends Gareth Edwards and Gareth Thomas. Prince William was in attendance as Vice
Royal Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union.

Bass-baritone Bryn Terfel will not perform in an opera without his Clogau daffodil brooch. "On my
concert tours, I always wear my lucky charm - a piece of Clogau Gold jewellery. Wherever I am,
wearing it gives me the feeling of being part of my homeland."

Sean Penn’s character in the movie Mystic River has a Celtic Cross tattoo on his back.

Actress Eva Longoria has a Celtic Cross tattoo on her lower back.
Singer Robbie Williams has a Celtic Cross tattoo on his right hip.

Depeche Mode singer Dave Gahan has a green Celtic Cross tattoo on his upper left arm and a Celtic
design on his back.

Others sporting Celtic tattoos include Spice Girl Melanie C, actress Jessica Lange, and Sean Avery.

Celtic designs continue to appear in popular culture. Whether worn by celebrities or making
appearances on film and television, the various designs are timeless. Check out our listings of Celebrity
Celtic Jewellery.