EuroMillions Plus Jackpot Winner Has Grandkids to Thank
A lottery player from County Clare, Munster, has his grandkids to thank after winning a €500,000 EuroMillions Plus jackpot. The grandfather scooped the six-figure windfall after his five numbers, based on the birthdays of his first five grandchildren, were drawn.
“I Asked Them to Go on a WhatsApp Call”
The winning numbers on Tuesday 22nd January were 9, 10, 16, 18 and 23. The County Clare player bought his lucky entry online, and was one of two players to match the full line on the night, so they both received the jackpot prize of €500,000 each. There were 2,555 winners overall, including 56 ticket holders who matched four numbers to receive €2,000 each.
It is the first time the EuroMillions Plus jackpot has been won this year, and the grandfather revealed he shared the good news with his children on a WhatsApp video call because many of them live abroad. He explained: “They were a bit worried when I asked them to go on a WhatsApp call at 7.30pm the day after the draw, but I assured them it was good news.
“The job I had trying to convince them I wasn’t joking was another thing! I pick the same five numbers every draw based on the birthdays of my first five grandchildren, so I have them to thank for my lucky win. I’ll look after them all surely!”
Lottery winners in Ireland have 90 days from the date of the draw to come forward and claim their prize, but the excited winner wasted little time in doing so, collecting his prize from the National Lottery headquarters in Dublin on Monday 4th February. EuroMillions Plus is a supplementary game to the main EuroMillions draw, exclusive to ticket holders in Ireland. Entry is free with a ticket for the main draw, and players have the chance of winning a fixed jackpot prize of €500,000 twice a week.
County Monaghan Brothers Win €148,179
There was also cause for celebration for two brothers from County Monaghan, Ulster, who won €148,179 in the Irish Lotto draw on Wednesday 30th January. The duo matched all five numbers and the Bonus Ball to scoop the six-figure amount, and revealed they have been playing the lottery together for nearly 30 years.
Their winning entry was bought from the Tir Chonaill Service Station on Dublin Road in Carrickmacross. One of the brothers said: "We are delighted with the win. I had booked a family holiday to America anyway for June so we can make it extra special – and there is talk of a new kitchen.”
Meanwhile, tonight’s EuroMillions jackpot is worth an estimated €130 million, and you can choose your numbers online to be in with a chance of following in the footsteps of Frances and Patrick Connolly, who won a €127 million jackpot earlier this year.
5th February 2019
