My grandmother wholeheartedly embraced her Irish heritage, and it was through her (and her home’s furnishings) that I first learned that people currently living in the United States did not always start out living in the United States. She decorated her house with many traditional Irish symbols: Brigid’s cross, Irish blankets, an Irish flag, etc. I have many memories of her wearing thick Irish wool sweaters, of which she owned many. While she was born in America, her parents moved to the U.S. from Ireland just before she was born. Her father was previously a part of the Irish Republican Army during the Irish Civil War, and decided to leave the country after its conclusion. However, my grandmother did not get to visit Ireland until she was older. When she visited Ireland for the first time in the 1960s, she was finally able to meet some of her cousins and other relatives in Galway. While there, she purchased this gold Claddagh ring as a symbol of her Irish heritage, and my grandmother wore her ring everyday from that point on. Claddagh rings originate from the town of Claddagh, near Galway. These rings, while sometimes given between lovers, are also commonly passed between generations along the female line. When my grandmother passed away, I received her Claddagh ring. It is now my privilege to wear the ring daily. It reminds me not only of my Irish background, but also of my grandmother’s story and her familial pride. 

– Caitlyn S

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more