Amazing New Lives for Irish EuroMillions Winners

There have been many successful lottery winners in Ireland. Perhaps tonight we’ll see another one in the €130m EuroMillions Superdraw this evening. Let’s look back at what happened to some of the biggest Irish lottery winners.

It was three years ago that the Rogers and Sheridan family from North Dublin won an Irish record€175.4m EuroMillions jackpot.

The EuroMillions winners decided to share their windfall with other family members. In all, 49 people each received €3.5m.

Under the mattress

Little has been heard of them since their big win. We do know that the night they found out about their success, they put their winning ticket inside an Argos catalogue and then hid that under a mattress.

What better way to start a new year than by winning a EuroMillions jackpot? That’s what happened to Frances and Patrick Connolly from Co Down in 2019. They won a €137m top prize in the January 1 draw. Those who had wished them happy new year could never have guessed how right they’d be.

Sharing their win

The couple (both in their 50s) immediately sat down and created a list of 50 people they wanted to share their EuroMillions winnings with. Over half of their windfall has since been given to family, friends, and charity. Each of their three daughters received a share of the win. Nieces and nephews were given cash to help buy their own homes.

Since their win, the couple have moved back to England and have a five-bedroom bungalow in Hartlepool in County Durham. They had been renting a terrace house, but their new home has a tennis court and a swimming pool.

During the pandemic, they have made huge donations to help others. This includes buying computers for children who were unable to go to school.

Dreams come true

Dolores McNamara from Limerick won a €115m EuroMillions jackpot 17 years ago. Six months after her win, a 16-bedroom mansion was purchased for €1.7m. That was something she could only have dreamed about. When winning the jackpot, the 45-year-old mother of six was a part-time cleaning lady.

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