‘I’m still in complete shock’: Lotto winners flock to capital to collect prizes

One Laois family syndicate headed to Dublin to collect their €389,066 prize

There were celebrations all round in the National Lottery’s Winners Room this week as players flocked to collect their prizes.

One family syndicate from Co Laois collected their biggest prize to date after 10 years of playing together. The group won €389,066 after matching five numbers and the bonus in the Lotto draw on June 6.

Their winning ticket was purchased at SuperValu Portlaoise, Unit 1, Parkside, Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise, Co Laois, and the syndicate said the win came as a huge surprise.

“We were just passing by, and it wouldn’t be a shop we would normally buy our tickets in. A couple of days later, we heard that there was in a win in the store so that made us check the ticket. When it was scanned in store, we were handed a slip telling us to contact the National Lottery. That was when the nerves really started!”

The ticket-holder admitted that the journey home felt longer than ever, with traffic adding to the excitement and suspense. “We couldn’t get home quick enough. Of course, we got stuck in traffic, which only added to the stress. I couldn’t get rid of the ticket quick enough knowing how much it was now worth!”

Another family member was quickly appointed as the official “ticket-minder” while the group waited for the win to be confirmed. After checking the numbers at home and contacting the National Lottery Prize Claims team, the syndicate said it still took time for the news to sink in.

“Even after calling the team and waiting for Claims to confirm it, we still didn’t fully believe it. We had a small celebration, but we were waiting until we had the cheque in our hands before we properly celebrate!”

The family syndicate said the prize comes at a lovely time, with several family milestones coming up in the months ahead. While they are still deciding how best to enjoy the win, home improvements are already being considered, with one member joking that air conditioning might be top of the list after the recent hot weather.

An online player from Co Cork also celebrated a memorable win after receiving an unexpected call from the National Lottery while out cycling. The Corkonian matched five numbers and one Lucky Star in the June 5 draw to win €365,515.

“I was out for a cycle at the time when I got the call from Martin in Claims, and I thought it was all a joke! I didn’t think it was real even when I logged onto the app and saw the notification, so we had to double-check the numbers.”

The Cork player said they are still coming to terms with the news, adding: “I’m still in complete shock and it doesn’t feel real sitting here in the Winners Room right now!”

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