Slán agaibh

Well, it's over. Those three weeks sure went by quick smart.

Having driven some 3,000 km through wilderness and visiting over thirty families - chatting, laughing, learning, putting up mezuzos and putting on tefillin with them - the time has come time to wrap it all up.

It was a wonderful privilege to meet Rabbi and Mrs. Lent, the shluchim in Dublin, who helped make our expedition possible. If you are reading this - thank you.

All the very best to you all!

Shacharis in Dublin, on our last day in Ireland

Photos - County Galway

Standing at the end of the world

The road to the end of the world

Probably the best monument ever built. Classic.

Impressive view. Connemara National Park is also visible.

 Cromwell's Fort, built circa 1650 on Inishbofin Island, County Galway

 Old lighthouse at Inishbofin Island

 Don't get caught in a bog! Or you might become a sod.

Not What We Were Expecting

Wednesday, our second-last day on shlichus, was turning out to be a bit of a downer.

It was cold and drizzling, our soy milk had run out, and my partner's continuing refusal to shave only exacerbated the tension. Morale was low.

We had started the day looking for a long-lost contact via word of mouth, only to be sent on a wild-goose-chase across much of County Galway. Our search was futile, sweetened only by the rugged beauty of the countryside that we found ourselves in.

Having been unable to reach any other Jewish people in the area, and with evening fast approaching, we dejectedly gave up hope. For the first time on our shlichus an entire day had gone by without us seeing a Jewish soul.

The task of finding accommodation for the night proved unexpectedly difficult too. We hadn't contended with the Galway Racing Festival, which attracts thousands of punters from all around Ireland. We found virtually all accommodations in the area occupied, until we arrived at a small, homey bed and breakfast on the edge of town.

Not long after we moved into our room, I happened to get into a conversation with a friendly couple who were staying across the hallway. After a few short moments I discovered that they were Jewish, originally from California and now living in Gorey, County Wexford!

So we did found our contact after all. Just not the one we were expecting.