Excitement is mounting across Ireland as EuroMillions enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the approaching Friday night draw, with a life-changing jackpot of €130 million guaranteed. In anticipation of the Mega Draw event, a special occasion in the lottery calendar, the National Lottery has confirmed this colossal sum will be on offer, irrespective of the previous draw’s outcome.
Mega Draws are a rare and much-awaited event that come with the promise of nine-figure jackpots, making them stand apart from the usual draws. To have a shot at winning the €130 million prize, players are reminded to secure their EuroMillions tickets by the deadline, which is 7:30 pm on the night of the Mega Draw.
The National Lottery has highlighted the significance of the draw, especially with it falling on the eve of St. Patrick’s bank holiday weekend, potentially setting the stage for a landmark celebration for Irish players. They have issued a statement, encouraging participants to play early to avoid last-minute rushes, with tickets being easily available in-store, through the National Lottery app, or via their website.
“A EuroMillions player in Ireland could indeed have a reason for an unforgettable celebration this Bank Holiday weekend, with the massive €130 million jackpot up for grabs,” a spokesperson for the National Lottery remarked. They went on to add, “Should we have an Irish winner, not only would this be an extraordinary bank holiday for them, but it would also mark them as the first Irish EuroMillions jackpot winner of 2024.”
Since its introduction to Ireland in 2004, EuroMillions has crowned 17 jackpot winners from the country. As players across the nation hope to join this exclusive club, let’s revisit the illustrious history of Irish winners who have had their dreams become reality:
1. Dolores McNamara from Limerick was the trailblazer in July 2005, securing her spot as Ireland’s biggest EuroMillions winner with a jaw-dropping win of €115 million.
2. A Co. Tipperary player struck gold in July 2008, walking away with a €15 million jackpot.
3. June 2009 saw a family syndicate split the jackpot with a British counterpart, bagging more than €29.4 million from a ticket bought in Dublin.
4. Dublin laid claim to another winner in June 2013; the lucky ticket holder scooped up half of an over €187 million jackpot, netting over €93 million.
5. A fortunate young man from the South East shared a September 2013 jackpot of over €25 million with a Spanish winner.
6. In April 2014, a €15 million jackpot went to the owner of a ticket from Castlebar, Co. Mayo.
7. September 2014 delivered an €86.7 million prize to a Dublin syndicate.
8. A group of friends from a January 2016 syndicate divided over €66 million between them.
9. The windfall of July 2016 saw 22 Dublin Bus colleagues share a €23.8 million prize.
10. In January 2017, a Dublin work syndicate bagged an €88.5 million jackpot.
11. A West of Ireland syndicate enjoyed a €29 million slice of luck in July 2017.
12. Dublin once more in December 2017, as a family syndicate won €38.9 million.
13. June 2018 brought joy to 32 colleagues in Co. Tipperary, sharing a €17 million jackpot.
14. The largest jackpot since the game’s inception went to the Naul Family Syndicate in February 2019, an astonishing €175.4 million.
15. February 2020 awarded a Co. Mayo family €17 million.
16. A Dublin online player claimed a €49.5 million jackpot in July 2020 with a minimal stake.
17. And most recently, in February 2022, another massive payout of €30.9 million made its way to a Mid-West ticket holder.
As the nation holds its breath for yet another possibly momentous win, the EuroMillions continues to be a beacon of hope for many, with the potential of a single ticket changing lives forever. Players are invited to join the Irish Mirror’s breaking news service on WhatsApp for the latest updates, allowing them to receive news, special offers, and promotions directly to their phones. Interests piqued by the prospect of wealth and fortune, countless Irish dreamers will be clutching their tickets come Friday, watching with bated breath as the numbers roll out. Could a new Irish multimillionaire be in the making? Only time will tell.
