A record-breaking €19 million National Lottery ticket which won last Saturday's draw was sold at a small roadside shop in Castlebar, it has been revealed, after more than seven months of un-won draws.
On Wednesday morning, all eyes will turn to Laura’s XL store on Hopkins Road in Garryduff, marking just the latest in a string of lottery successes for the town.
So far, four jackpot prizes have been claimed in this small corner of the northwest, including a massive €29 million EuroMillions haul just over two years ago.
“The Castlebar ticket holder, who has become Ireland’s largest ever Lotto jackpot winner, has made contact and arrangements are now being made for their prize to be paid,” the National Lottery confirmed of the latest win.
The unveiling of exactly where the ticket was purchased ahead of last Saturday’s draw is bound to start the usual local speculation and questions about who holds the golden ticket.
The first Castlebar EuroMillions jackpot, worth €15 million, was won in April 2014. Less than two years ago, another €17 million EuroMillions jackpot was scooped in the area.
This latest jackpot had become a major public and political talking point, having remained capped at €19.06 million since October 2nd and not been won since June last year.
The draw had become the first “will be won” prize with a guarantee that might have seen the prize shared among anyone who matched five numbers and a bonus, or further down the order of winning combinations if necessary.
In the end, that system was moot – as one lucky person matched all six numbers.
