Family syndicate shocked after claiming historic €250 million EuroMillions Jackpot

The winners have vowed that the life-changing sum won't change them.

The winners, who have chosen to remain anonymous, described the win as 'surreal'.

Their fate was decided when one family member had an appointment in Cork and stopped into Clifford’s Centra on Shandon Street and decided to buy a ticket for the draw.

“I saw the sign at the till that the EuroMillions jackpot was €250 million,” said one family member.

“Although I’m a regular player, I hadn’t bought a ticket for the last two draws. I picked one up and honestly, didn’t think much of it.”

The ticketholder explained: “I was watching the Nine O’Clock News and saw that someone in Ireland had the winning EuroMillions ticket. So naturally, I got my ticket and scanned it on the National Lottery app, and a message popped up, ‘You’ve won big, contact the National Lottery.’ Obviously, this wasn’t a message that I was used to seeing, so I must have checked it 4 more times, I just couldn't believe my eyes!”

“I ran upstairs to my wife who had just gone to bed and woke her up. We both checked the numbers multiple times on the website. We sat at the edge of the bed, saying ‘Oh my god’ over and over – I reckon we said it about fifty times. We were in total shock, complete disbelief.”

One of the winning members joked that sleep was not an option that night due to excitement.

The next morning, they called National Lottery, got through to the Claims Team, and after a few tense minutes on hold, the confirmation finally came through.

"Those few minutes felt like the longest of my life.

“When Ronan from the Claims Team confirmed we were the outright winner, needless to say, we were in total shock all over again.”

The family kept the ticket safe until it could be handed over, specifically tucked inside an A4 sheet beneath a pile of folded laundry in the bedroom.

Speaking on what they're going to do with the money, the winners said a family holiday is the priority.

“We’re absolutely going on a family holiday. We love to travel and there’s so many amazing trips we’ve always dreamed of that we can now make a reality. We’re already looking at holiday homes somewhere in the sun.”

“We also feel incredibly fortunate now to be in a position where we can buy homes for our children too.”

Additionally, the syndicate is planning on supporting their wider family members, including children, grandchildren, close friends, and several charities that are close to their hearts. 

It seems they don't have any extravagant plans for the money just yet.

“I always dreamed of owning a Rolex watch, knowing that I could never afford it. I went window shopping last week just to have a look and couldn’t believe the price tag of some of the watches. When I phoned my wife to tell her, she said ‘sure you can buy them now if you want’!”

“I don’t think the news has really sunk in yet!"

The historic winners are determined to stay grounded.

“We’re planning to remain in Ireland, and we promised ourselves that we won’t let this win change us.

Another added with a laugh, “I'll still be having my favourite ham and cheese sambo for lunch every day!”

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