The Story of How the Claddagh came to Cape Cod

Back in 1845, a handsome young Irish lad named Patrick Monahan had his picture taken. He was dressed in a tailored suit with his vest sporting a fine watch fob, his beard neatly trimmed, and his dark hair and piercing blue eyes typifying the classic attractiveness of the "Black Irish." Patrick held in his hands a tray of precious gold -- rows of the newly fashioned Claddagh rings, designed after the original that his father had brought with him from County Monahan, Ireland just 30 years before. The Monahans, father and son, had become well-known jewelers specializing in the legendary Claddagh which quickly gained popularity in America.

Now, 183 years later, the fifth generation of Monahans still runs the store, which Mike Monahan proudly states is the oldest jewelry store in the country continuously run by the same family. Mike's daughter Kara also works in the Harwich Port store part-time, representing the debut of the sixth generation. Mike is fiercely devoted to his heritage, and the sepia-colored photo of Patrick is on display, along with the family crest embroidered on the blazer patch he wore.

A visit to the shop on Harwich Port's Main Street is like a bit like rummaging through your grandmother's attic -- old posters and photos clutter the walls in a happy collage of the history and lore of this family. Of course, Granny would have to be rather well-off to afford some of the more notable treasures tucked away here. Neal Waters, Mike's in-house goldsmith brought out a fabulous watch -- an oversized hand-crafted masterpiece made in 1892 for some wealthy gent whose initials are engraved on the case. This magnificent one-of-a-kind timepiece, made of rose gold with a huge diamond set in the back and a porcelain face with hand-painted numerals finer than eyelashes, is valued at $100,000.

The next show-stopper was a two-piece Art Deco sweater clip, with rows of diamonds tipped with Burmese rubies. Its price tag was a bargain at only $28,000 -- Burmese rubies are not only impossible to acquire because of trade restrictions, but they also have a unique magenta color.

But lest you think these items are a bit beyond your budget, Monahan's has more down-to-earth baubles, too, especially the extremely popular Cape Cod pieces that Neal is famous for. He created the Cape Cod map charm, the gold Cape-Cod watch with its black alligator strap, and was the first to feature the Nantucket Lightship Basket on the Cape. There are dazzling gold earrings of polished circles with various creatures -- horses, whales, swans, angels jumping through. Bracelets to ring the wrist with sand dollars, or scallop shells. Strings of pearls in white or black. Charms of sailboats lobster traps, cranberry scoops with tiny ruby berries, finely detailed fish with diamond eyes.

Part of Monahan and Company's great success was their decision long ago to carry estate jewelry, and they now specialize in those unique pieces which have a history of their own. The craftsmanship is breath-taking, the attention to detail and the creative genius evident in every piece. There is a flower brooch, its fine filigree petals hinged so that a fine lady could wear it open or closed to suit her outfit. Neal says that he has learned much about craftsmanship from these fine old pieces, and incorporates their quality into his work. But it is the Claddagh that people come here for in the greatest numbers. Monahan's counts 12 Presidents among its most celebrated customers. including JFK, Ronald Reagan and President Clinton who bought rings for himself, Hilary and Chelsea, plus a set of gold golf ball markers. Jennifer Aniston who graces the cover of Cosmopolitan is wearing her Claddagh in the photo. Dan Rather and Tom Brokaw dropped in to pick up a little something for Maria Shriver and Arnold.

The Monahan clan has come a long way since Patrick's father Jeremiah hocked the diamonds in his watch to come to America. They have a second store in Vero Beach, Florida, and like the generations before them, Mike and Kara, with Neal's assistance, are making a bit of history on their own.

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