The Joyce name has been deeply embedded in Connacht since they arrived there by sea in the wake of the Norman invaders. Joyce comes from the French personal name Joy. They quickly intermarried with strong local families like the 0 Briens, Princes of Thomond.  

   A huge clan, they owned vast territory in the barony of Ross (Co. Galway), known today as Joyce's Country and were admitted into the elite of tile "14 1ribes of Galway". There were Joyce bishops and crusaders to the Holy Land. One who was captured en route was shown buried treasure by an eagle. When he escaped with this wealth he used it to build the walls of Galway city.

A family literary strain is epitomised in James Joyce (1882-1941), playwright, poet, musician and author of Ulysses.

A Joyce captured in the Middle East learned the art of gold and silver smithing. It is he who is credited with the origins of the Claddagh Ring, an ancient wedding ring which can be traced back to the old fishing village situated on the shore of Galway Bay.

During World War 11 the infamous llilliam Joyce broadcast Nazi propaganda from Germany. Of mixed Irish-English-American background, his English affiliations caused him to be hanged for treason when he was captured after the war.