A FAMILY living in a remote Mayo farming and fishing community won €11 million in the weekend National Lottery draw, one of the largest jackpots to date.
The lucky winners live in Ballyglass, Belmullet, Co Mayo, near the extreme northwest tip of the county and revealed their good fortune to a reporter who called to their door yesterday afternoon. But they did not wish to discuss the windfall just yet.
A shocked Martin and Evelyn McIntyre and their family are just trying to get used to being millionaires.
“We are not making any comment . . . we haven’t taken this in yet,” a man who answered the door at the family home said.
The lucky McIntyres were described by Kilmore Erris parish priest Fr Kevin Hegarty as “modest and unassuming”.
At Sunday Mass earlier in Carne Church, Fr Hegarty told the congregation he understood someone from the area had won the lottery.
Without naming the family, Fr Hegarty continued: “I am sure all of us will rejoice in the great news. I hope it will bring them . . . joy throughout their lives.”
The winning ticket, a €4 quickpick, was purchased by a family member in Brogan’s Eurospar, Belmullet, on Friday.
Shopowner Annette Howard said: “Big news. Mad, isn’t it? We have had a few small wins in the Lotto, a few thousand euro, nothing like this.”
News of the family’s big win generated great excitement throughout Erris. The winning couple have a large family, some of them abroad, and it is understood the family members are preparing to come home for a celebration.
The winning numbers were: 2, 7, 19, 23, 33 and 43.
Asked earlier about who the holder of the winning ticket might be, Ms Howard said: “I have no idea . . . no one has come into the shop saying, ‘I won’.”
The first she heard the winning ticket had been sold in her shop was at 10pm on Saturday when she got a call from the local lottery sales representative.
“I thought he was having a laugh because we had only been talking during the week about selling a winning ticket. He said, ‘No, I’m serious’. Oh my gosh, it’s just so exciting. I haven’t slept since. I think I’m probably more excited than the person who won it,” she said.
Champagne was being served in the shop yesterday, she said.
“It has just been crazy. Everyone has been coming down to say ‘congratulations’.”
As the vendor of the winning ticket her shop will get a €15,000 windfall. Ms Howard said it was “great” to get that win, though she pointed out that it was a stipulation of the National Lottery that that money had to be put back into the business.
However, a National Lottery spokeswoman said later that those who sold winning tickets could use the money however they wished.
The last big lottery winner was Kinsale, Co Cork postman Pat Broderick. He won €7 million – half the €14 million jackpot – in March this year. The other winner wished to remain anonymous.
The win had given a “great lift to everyone” in Belmullet, said Ms Brogan. “Things are tough out there . . . this is just great for everyone’s spirits. We’re all delighted.”
She said business was “okay” but “things are a lot tighter. We have none of the multiples nearby, so that helps. People . . . are loyal around this area.”
The winners can pick up their winnings from this morning at National Lottery HQ in Dublin.