A routine Monday took an extraordinary turn for a Dublin family as they collected a staggering €14.67 million prize at National Lottery Headquarters, with their win attributed to a “last-minute” impulse to play the Lotto. Their remarkable story began with the January 27 draw, for which they purchased their lucky ticket online just in time.
As members of a family syndicate, the delight and disbelief are understandable, particularly when considering the spontaneity of their decision. Illuminating the frantic moments leading up to their life-changing win, a family spokesperson recounted the urgency of the situation: “To be honest, the ticket purchase was totally last minute. We only thought of it by chance after 7pm that evening so it was a bit of a rush to make sure we logged on and got the ticket before the 7.30pm deadline.”
The convenience of modern technology was not lost on the winners, who appreciated the online platform, especially considering the time crunch. “There wasn’t a chance that any of us was going to make a dash to the shop at that stage so we have definitely learned one of the benefits of playing online,” they expressed.
But even with a newfound fortune, the family remains grounded, keeping the win a close-held secret and not getting carried away by the sudden influx of wealth. The family member described the instant they realized their fate, saying, “We realized on the night of the draw that we won. I checked the ticket first and then I think I might have been speechless for a few minutes.”
The reaction was one of stunned joy, the silence giving way to exclamations of surprise as the reality sank in. Even sleep was not disturbed by the prospect of imminent wealth. “The shock did take a bit of time to wear off but shockingly, I actually didn’t have a problem sleeping that night – it must have been all the excitement.”
But this Dublin family weren’t the only ones with reasons to celebrate; another fortunate individual from Tipperary collected their own substantial prize of €500,000 from the EuroMillions Plus draw that took place on February 16. This second winner, who bought their ticket at the Circle K on Kickham Street in Thurles, experienced a similar episode of disbelief upon realizing they had struck lottery gold.
Describing their reaction, the Tipperary winner mentioned, “I checked the ticket on the night of the draw and immediately got the ‘You’ve won Big’ message, which I had never seen before.” Initially uncertain, they subsequently confirmed that they had indeed matched all five numbers necessary in the Plus game.
With winnings only official on weekdays, they faced an agonizing weekend protecting their ticket before they could claim their prize. The individual humorously added, “I don’t play often but I sure am glad I did this time.”
This tale of two wins highlights not only the whimsical nature of luck but also the seamless integration of digital platforms, reshaping how lottery games are experienced and ultimately won. While the Dublin family and the Tipperary winner explore the possibilities of their new fortunes, the Lotto headquarters buzzes with the energy of dreams fulfilled and the ever-present prospect of the next big win.
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