No need for any sort of apology Mick and no offence taken whatsoever!

I'll try and find the information I have (probably well-hidden under the various moopiles at home!) and post it up.

You are quite right...the original Claddagh had no crown. It was added later under British influence to signify "loyalty to the crown"! For some reason, no-one ever got round to removing it on the design of your average Claddagh ring!

Moo