Anticipation is building across Ireland as EuroMillions enthusiasts eagerly await Friday night’s Mega Draw, with the jackpot guaranteed at an staggering €130 million. Such substantial prizes are sure to stir excitement and dreams of life-changing fortunes among hopeful participants nationwide.
The National Lottery has officially confirmed that this Friday’s EuroMillions will be a Mega Draw. Unlike regular draws, Mega Draws feature a guaranteed nine-figure jackpot—typically set at €130 million—irrespective of whether the top prize was claimed in the preceding draw. Despite this significant difference, Mega Draws operate under the same stringent rules as regular EuroMillions draws. To be in the running for this extraordinary prize, all participants need to do is secure a valid ticket for Friday night’s draw.
The National Lottery has issued a timely reminder for all those dreaming of hitting the jackpot. Players are urged to purchase their EuroMillions tickets early, whether in-store, through the National Lottery app, or via www.lottery.ie, well ahead of the 7.30pm deadline for ticket sales on Friday evening. This cautionary advice aims to ensure that no potential winner misses out on this exceptional opportunity due to last-minute rushes or unforeseen delays.
A National Lottery spokesperson highlighted the potential significance of Friday’s draw for Irish players, saying: “A EuroMillions player in Ireland could have a Bank Holiday weekend to remember with a guaranteed €130 million jackpot up for grabs in Friday night’s draw. The potential winner would also have a celebratory Bank Holiday weekend by becoming the first EuroMillions jackpot winner in Ireland for 2024.”
Reiterating the urgency as the draw approaches, the spokesperson added, “As we get closer to the draw, we are reminding players that the cut-off time for ticket sales is 7.30pm on Friday evening. Tickets can be purchased in-store, through the National Lottery app, or at www.lottery.ie.”
Ireland has a rich history of EuroMillions success since the game launched in the country in 2004, boasting 17 jackpot winners to date. If an Irish player were to clinch Friday’s spectacular €130 million prize, they would join an esteemed roll call of past winners.
Here’s a look back at Ireland’s notable EuroMillions jackpot winners:
1. In July 2005, Dolores McNamara from Limerick made history as Ireland’s first—and biggest—EuroMillions winner, claiming a staggering €115 million.
2. A fortunate player from County Tipperary scooped a €15 million jackpot in July 2008 with a ticket bought in Carrick-on-Suir.
3. June 2009 saw a family syndicate share a jackpot with a British winner, taking home over €29.4 million with a ticket purchased in Dublin.
4. In June 2013, a lucky player who bought a ticket at a Mace shop in Beaumont, Dublin 9, shared a EuroMillions jackpot of over €187 million. The Irish winner secured half of the jackpot, pocketing over €93 million.
5. September 2013 was notable for a young man from the South East who shared a EuroMillions jackpot of over €25 million with a player from Spain, winning over €12.8 million with a ticket purchased in Ardkeen Superstores, Waterford.
6.
. April 2014 brought a €15 million jackpot win via a ticket sold in Staunton’s Costcutter Express in Castlebar, County Mayo.
7. A syndicate from Dublin claimed an €86.7 million jackpot in September 2014 with a ticket sold at Centra on Church Road in Ballybrack, County Dublin.
8. A syndicate of friends from Carlow won over €66 million in January 2016, sharing a jackpot of €132,376,632 with a ticket sold at Eason’s store in Fairgreen Shopping Centre.
9. 22 Dublin Bus colleagues triumphed in July 2016, sharing a €23.8 million jackpot through a ticket sold in O’Hanlon’s Portarlington.
10. A Dublin work syndicate pocketed €88.5 million in January 2017 with a ticket sold at the Applegreen Service Station on the M1 Northbound in Lusk, County Dublin.
11. July 2017 saw a syndicate from the West of Ireland win a €29 million jackpot with a ticket sold at Garryduff XL Store on Pound Road, Castlebar in County Mayo.
12. December 2017 witnessed a small family syndicate from Dublin securing €38.9 million through a ticket purchased at The Village Shop in Malahide Shopping Centre.
13. In June 2018, 32 colleagues from Stakelums Hardware store in Thurles, County Tipperary, shared a €17 million jackpot with a ticket bought at Eason’s Store in Thurles Shopping Centre.
14. February 2019 marked a significant win for the Naul Family Syndicate, who took home €175.4 million with a ticket sold at Reilly’s Daybreak in Naul, County Dublin.
15. February 2020 saw another family from County Mayo share a €17 million jackpot, thanks to a ticket purchased at Mulroy’s Londis Store in Castlebar.
16. In July 2020, an online player from Dublin secured a €49.5 million jackpot with a €2.50 normal play ticket.
17. Finally, in February 2022, a Mid-West ticket holder won a €30.9 million jackpot with a Quick Pick ticket purchased at Larkin’s Gala Service Station in Ballina, County Tipperary.
As Irish EuroMillions fans await the forthcoming Mega Draw, history reminds them that dreams can, indeed, come true. This Friday’s €130 million guaranteed jackpot promises not only to exhilarate players but also to potentially add a new name to Ireland’s illustrious list of EuroMillions winners. Stay tuned and make sure you have your tickets ready for a night that could change your life forever.
