Patrick Mohr was visiting Italy with his wife of 16 years and their children when he lost his gold wedding ring in a mountain stream. One of his children grabbed his hand while they were playing, causing the ring to slip into the fast-moving water. While Mohr believed it was lost forever, his wife went downstream to ask three young Italian friends for help: Filippo Palagi, Nicola Malloggi, and Edoardo Poggi.
Inspired by The Lord of the Rings, the friends promised to find the ring and bring it to Ireland. They spent two days searching with kayaks but found nothing. On the third day, they tied themselves to large rocks and searched with snorkeling equipment in particularly fast water. Malloggi noticed a flash of light in the sand. When he lifted a handful to the surface, the ring was there. Mohr learned about the discovery through a text message and photo while he was with his family in Tuscany.
Rather than interrupt the family’s vacation, the friends offered to deliver the ring to Ireland themselves. They flew there and arrived at Mohr’s home dressed as hobbits, singing songs from the films. Their welcome included visits to Glendalough’s ancient abbey and lake and the nearby Glenmalure Valley. After drinks at a local pub, they shared a traditional Irish dinner and promised lasting friendship.
