My boyfriend of three and a half years is Irish/Italian and he bought me a beautiful gold claddaugh ring for Christmas of last year. I wear it on my right hand, heart in. I was at a bar once and a guy asked my friend if I was married. He was Irish from Ireland and when I showed him my claddaugh ring, he backed off.
My BF's parents use them as wedding bands, and they love that he gave one to me. They keep asking him when the other ring is coming!

I love it!