A Dublin family has become the newest multimillionaires after claiming their €14.67 million cheque at National Lottery headquarters on Monday. This windfall came about following a spontaneous decision to purchase a Lotto ticket for the January 27 draw. Buying it online just before the 7:30 pm deadline, the family has since shared their exhilarating experience with a mix of disbelief and joy.
The family member who spoke to reporters revealed the serendipitous nature of their entry into the draw, describing it as a spur-of-the-moment decision. “To be honest, the ticket purchase was totally last minute,” they said. “We only thought of it by chance after 7 pm that evening, so it was a bit of a rush to make sure we logged on and got the ticket before the 7:30 pm deadline. There wasn’t a chance that any of us were going to make a dash to the shop at that stage, so we have definitely learned one of the benefits of playing online.”
Despite the initial rush and the life-changing win, the family has managed to keep their feet on the ground. They recounted the surreal moment of discovering their win on the night of the draw. “We realised 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 family member said. “When I eventually got my words back, I was quick to share the news and the utter surprise. The shock took 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.”
This extraordinary stroke of fortune has transformed the family’s life, yet they have chosen to remain discreet about their newfound wealth. Since the win, they have been eagerly anticipating their visit to the Winners Room to collect their cheque and see the grand sum written out. “Ever since then, we have been looking forward to visiting the Winners Room and collecting the cheque to see that huge amount in writing,” shared the family member.
Interestingly, the Dublin family’s win isn’t the only cause for celebration at the Lotto HQ this week.
. Another lucky individual from Tipperary also made headlines by collecting a cheque worth €500,000 after winning big in the EuroMillions Plus draw on February 16. The Tipperary winner, who bought their ticket at the Circle K on Kickham Street in Thurles, recounted their own story of unexpected fortune.
“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,” they said. After verifying the results and confirming their five number match in the Plus game, they faced an anxious wait through the weekend to make contact with the Claims department. “Since it was a Friday night, I had to wait all weekend before I could contact Claims to confirm my win and make arrangements, so it was a weekend of holding on to my ticket and waiting to make that all-important call.”
The Tipperary winner expressed their gratitude for having played the lottery at that time, despite not being a regular participant. “I don’t play often but I sure am glad I did this time,” they said, adding another heartwarming story to the streak of good fortune sweeping through the Irish Lotto community.
These narratives of last-minute decisions and unexpected wins highlight not just the randomness of luck, but also the transformative power of securing a life-changing prize. Whether it’s an impulsive ticket purchase or a rare win from a seldom-played ticket, the stories from Dublin and Tipperary offer glimpses into the joyous albeit surreal experience of becoming a millionaire overnight.
Both stories underline the dream-like aspect of lottery draws, where the simple act of logging onto a website or visiting a local shop can unexpectedly turn into an incredible jackpot win. The Dublin family’s significant win and the Tipperary individual’s notable prize reflect not just financial prosperity but the emotional rollercoaster that accompanies coming into such fortune.
As they step forward into their new lives, keeping their experiences in perspective and opting for caution and discretion, these winners embody the dreams and hopes of countless others who participate in the lottery. Whether for fun, for hope, or for the unexpected chance to change one’s life, these stories rekindle the lottery’s timeless allure and the belief that sometimes, you just have to be in it to win it.
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