An Italian vacation took an unexpected turn for Patrick Mohr when his wedding ring slipped into a fast-flowing mountain stream. The Irish visitor, traveling with his wife of 16 years and their children, lost the 18-karat gold band after one of the children grabbed his hand while they were playing. Convinced that the ring was gone for good, Mohr was ready to mourn its loss. His wife instead headed downstream, where she approached three young Italian friends: Filippo Palagi, Nicola Malloggi, and Edoardo Poggi.
Although initially doubtful, the friends made a promise inspired by The Lord of the Rings: they would recover the ring and deliver it to Ireland. Two days of searching with kayaks proved unsuccessful. On the third day, they secured themselves to boulders and used snorkeling equipment to search a particularly fast-moving stretch. Malloggi spotted a glimmer in the river sand; after scooping up a handful and surfacing, he discovered the ring in his palm. Mohr, who had continued his vacation, received a photograph and text message while preparing pasta with his family in Tuscany.
The friends offered to make the delivery themselves so that Mohr could enjoy the remainder of his trip. They subsequently flew to Ireland, arriving at his door dressed as hobbits and singing songs from the films. Their welcome included an excursion to Glendalough’s 1,000-year-old abbey and lake in the Wicklow Mountains, as well as the nearby Glenmalure Valley. Drinks at a local pub and a traditional Irish dinner followed, along with promises of enduring friendship.
