Friday night promises to be a monumental evening for EuroMillions players across Ireland, with a jaw-dropping €130 million guaranteed jackpot up for grabs. The National Lottery has confirmed that this upcoming EuroMillions draw will be a Mega Draw, a special event ensuring a nine-figure jackpot, typically around €130 million, irrespective of wins in prior draws.
Mega Draws adhere to the same regulations as regular EuroMillions draws, with the sole distinction being the guaranteed jackpot amount. To participate, players merely need a valid ticket for the EuroMillions on the night of the Mega Draw, automatically entering them into the running for the grand prize.
Ahead of this landmark draw, the National Lottery has encouraged players anticipating a big win to secure their tickets early. Tickets can be purchased in-store, via the National Lottery app, or online at www.lottery.ie, with the deadline for ticket sales fixed at 7.30pm on Friday evening. As a reminder of this exciting opportunity, a National Lottery spokesperson stated, “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.”
This Mega Draw comes as a thrilling prospect for EuroMillions enthusiasts, especially in light of the 17 Irish winners who have previously hit the jackpot since the game’s introduction in Ireland in 2004. If an Irish player clinches the Friday jackpot, they will join a prestigious roll call of lottery victors.
Reflecting on this illustrious history, let’s revisit some of these remarkable winners:
1. **July 2005:** Dolores McNamara from Limerick made history as Ireland’s first EuroMillions winner, bagging a phenomenal €115 million.
2. **July 2008:** A fortunate ticket-buyer from Carrick-on-Suir in County Tipperary won a €15 million jackpot.
3. **June 2009:** A family syndicate from Dublin shared a jackpot with a British winner, taking home over €29.4 million.
4. **June 2013:** A Dublin player who purchased a ticket in Mace shop Beaumont shared an astonishing €187 million jackpot, pocketing over €93 million.
5. **September 2013:** A young man from the South East took home over €12.8 million after sharing a €25 million jackpot with a Spanish player.
6. **April 2014:** A Castlebar, Co. Mayo ticket holder claimed a €15 million prize.
7. **September 2014:** A Dublin syndicate won a staggering €86.7 million with a ticket purchased at Centra in Ballybrack.
8. **January 2016:** A group of friends split a €132.4 million jackpot, each taking a share of €66 million.
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9. **July 2016:** Dublin Bus colleagues won €23.8 million on a ticket sold in O’Hanlon’s, Portarlington.
10. **January 2017:** A work syndicate from Dublin claimed the €88.5 million jackpot, with the winning ticket sold at an Applegreen Service Station in Lusk, Co. Dublin.
11. **July 2017:** A syndicate from the West of Ireland won a €29 million jackpot with a ticket they purchased at Garryduff XL Store in Castlebar, Co. Mayo.
12. **December 2017:** A Dublin family syndicate won €38.9 million with a ticket bought at The Village Shop in Malahide Shopping Centre.
13. **June 2018:** 32 colleagues from Stakelums Hardware, Thurles, Co. Tipperary shared a €17 million jackpot.
14. **February 2019:** The Naul Family Syndicate took home a colossal €175.4 million from a ticket purchased at Reilly’s Daybreak in Naul, Co. Dublin.
15. **February 2020:** A family from Co. Mayo shared a €17 million jackpot.
16. **July 2020:** A Dublin online player clinched €49.5 million with a simple €2.50 normal play ticket.
17. **February 2022:** A ticket holder from the Mid-West won a €30.9 million jackpot with a Quick Pick ticket from Larkin’s Gala Service Station in Ballina, Co. Tipperary.
As anticipation builds for Friday’s draw, excitement mounts across Ireland. With such a significant amount at stake, a new name could soon be added to this illustrious list of Irish EuroMillions winners. Stay tuned, and ensure your tickets are ready. The deadline is fast approaching!
