News is a little scarce at this time of the year, apologies for last week not coming on air, apart from lack of news’s, I had to be else where.

Graham & Saoirse Roberts: 
I just want to congratulate Graham & Saoirse Roberts from the Connemara Smokehouse & Visitor Centre Ballyconneely, they won the coveted accolade  of "Best use of Sustainable Local Fish Award" sponsored by Classic Drinks at the Good Food Ireland Awards in the K.Club in Straffan, Co Kildare just a few days ago. 

Connemara Mink:
Conal Hawkins from the Galway University managed to process the frozen mink carcasses that I provided. Apparently there was only one female, the rest were males and they were all the young of this year (May); with the exception of one of the males. He was surprised that the males were as young as they were as they very sizeable mink already (ranging from 1120 g- 1240 g). They all had a very good amount of abdominal and subcutaneous fat; they're obviously eating well!( Leave that to your imagination for you to work out the amount these beasts are living on)

Conal will send the gland lure that they produced to you early next week.
Conal has also produced a new mink distribution map and would like to fill in some of the gaps in the next few weeks. It would be of great help if you could let me know where you, or members of the gun club, have definitely sighted mink in the area. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Gurteen Grave Yard:
A note for the Diary Father McCarthy will say Mass for our dead up on Gurteen Grave yard at 3pm Sunday 11th October, weather permitting of course, so therefore we have a few more days to have our graves tided up before the event.

Straus Family:
Our weekends here in Roundstone seem to be fairly active, what with 21st birthdays which was my Nephews, last weekend. This weekend we had Toby Strauss wedding in Our Lady’s star of the Sea, Toby and his family have many connections in Roundstone – Connemara and have been great supporters for the various events that happen in Roundstone during the summer period’s, so congratulations Toby and to you Caroline Coyle, the Coyle name apparently has no connections to the Clifden Coyle’s, but hey perhaps there is, that I don’t know about.

Talking about weddings of course next week end i.e. 10th October is the Marriage Of Joanne Conneely to Patrick O’Toole, at our lady’s Star of the Sea church in Roundstone including the ceremony Ann’s granddaughter little Ellie Ann, who was very much a premature baby and nearly died, she will also be blessed during the marriage ceremony, Ellie Anne will have her 2nd birthday on the Sunday, what a lovely weekend for the family. I unfortunately will not be able to attend the ceremony’s, sadly in some ways I attended Noleen’s and Pat O’Neil’s wedding but am going to miss out on Joanne’s this time, as her mother Ann and myself have been friends for the last twenty eight years, but we will get over it, so I would like to think I will be there in spirit, therefore I would like to wish them all well, have a great day guys, happy birthday Ellie Ann, and hope the heavens will smile upon the whole family over the week end.

The Library:
Another note for the Diary as from this Thursday and every Thursday through out the winter commencing at 7pm Carol Sweeney our librarian will be holding a book club for all those who like to read, Carol will give more details of the club as I say next Thursday 8th October.

Talking about Carol, another date for you, a Halloween party for the kids will be held for them on the 17th October in the Library, good on you Carol.

And finally birthday wishes to John O’Keefe, one dose not divulge any ones age, just have fun for another year John, Happy birthday.