Annual Christmas Concert, December 2008
Click Here to see more photos of the concert
 

See the events Calendar for our upcoming shows

Our CD, "On The Rise," is still available!
Click here to order on line from CD Baby.

Now you can DOWNLOAD, Claddagh's On The Rise in MP3 format through CD Baby.  CLICK HERE for more information.

You can also pick up our CDs at any of our shows or at one of these fine establishments:

Front Range:
Kerreen O'Connor Ltd.        Thistle & Shamrock            The Emporium
9232 W Brandt Ave             8101 E Belleview, Unit B    Idaho Springs
Littleton                                Denver

Grand County:
Cascades Cabin                  Cascades of the Rockies      The General Store                  
Cooper Square                   Grand Lake                         Cooper Square                                        
Winter Park                                                                   Winter Park                                                               

Grand Lake Art Gallery        Singing Dog                         The Paper Clip
Grand Lake                          Winter Park                         Granby
 

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The Claddagh Legend

What is a Claddagh (pronounced CLAHD-duh) and where does it come from?  The Claddagh that we know today is a symbol (see upper left corner of this page) that originated in the fishing village of Claddagh in Galway Bay.  "Claddagh" is from old Gaelic meaning "flat, stony shore."  Legend claims Claddagh is the oldest fishing village in Ireland.  In the old days, the Claddagh design identified the village on the sails of their ships. Today we most often associate the Claddagh with jewelry.  The adaptation of the Claddagh to jewelry is generally attributed to Richard Joyce, a native of Galway, who while being transported as a slave to the plantations of the West Indies was captured by Mediterranean pirates and sold to a Moorish goldsmith who trained him in the craft.  In 1689 he was released and returned to Galway and set up his shop in Claddagh.  By tradition the symbol is to signify the wish that love and friendship should reign supreme.  The hands signify friendship, the crown is loyalty, and the heart is love. We most often see the Claddagh today on a ring which has become quite popular outside Connamera since the middle of the nineteenth century.  Its spread was assisted by the vast exodus from the west during the Great Famine of 1847-1849.  Claddagh rings were kept as heirlooms with great pride and passed from mother to daughter.  Today the ring is worn extensively across Ireland, either on the right hand turned outward showing the wearer is fancy free, or with the heart turned inward indicating she is spoken for.  The place of pride, though, is on the left hand with the heart turned in indicating the lady is happily married.
 

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Claddagh takes it's motto seriously--it is Irish music played vigorously!  From the band's earliest days in November 2004, they have made their mark with toe-tapping, hand-clapping, "gotta get up and dance" renditions of traditional and original tunes.

The tunes may be traditional, but the arrangements you'll hear will be nothing like you've ever heard before.  The band may bring in an African udu or djembe, or a Russian balalaika and bring a whole new feeling to a familiar song.  With 15 instruments to choose from, there's never a dull moment.

Dave Naples' originals will make you wonder if you are in Ireland, or the mountains of North Carolina, as you are carried away on the melodies.  The band incorporates a variety of dances--jigs, polkas, waltzes--along with modern Celtic classics, vocals, and few specialty pieces for good measure, and covers the range from rockin' out vigor to more soulful tunes that could bring a tear to your eye.
 

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This site last updated 03/06/2009.

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