Every Irish Girl I Know Is Wearing Claddagh Hoops – I Asked An Expert Why

The author and her friend in Claddagh hoop earrings

Last week, a woman on the reception desk at my GP office complimented my earrings (way to beat the grumpy NHS receptionist allegations). 

“My sister has a pair,” she said. But what she meant, I think, is “I’m Irish too! And my sister is, respectfully, as basic as you are!”

The Claddagh hoops have become so ubiquitous as to almost be cliche among my Irish (and some non-Irish) friends.

I think we all know this, and we don’t mind it; as I joked with the girl last week...