He eventually broke the news over dinner – and said it’s a moment they’ll ‘never forget’
14:56, 28 Nov 2025Updated 15:20, 28 Nov 2025
Staff at the Tesco in Midleton celebrating the big win(Image: Gerard McCarthy Photography)
If you found out you’d won a life-changing sum in the Lotto – would you celebrate and tell everyone right away, or let it sit and hold onto the secret for the perfect moment?
It’s not something most people will ever need to think about. But for this Cork punter, that was a real dilemma he faced after finding out he had won a whopping €1m in the Lotto Plus 1 draw on Saturday, 1st November. He purchased his ticket in Tesco at Midleton’s Market Green Shopping Centre. A few days later, he read in a local paper that a €1m prize had been won in the town, but had yet to be claimed.
When he opened the National Lottery app to double-check his numbers, he got a notification reading “You’ve won big” – and knew right away he had become an overnight millionaire.
The Cork man said: “I always buy my ticket the day before the draw, and on this particular day, I was doing the school run – nothing out of the ordinary! I didn’t tell anyone, not even my wife, and went to work as normal, although my head was absolutely scrambled. I knew I had to contact the National Lottery before heading home, just to be sure!”
After double-checking the prize was his, he decided to hold off on sharing the news for just a few more hours before spilling the beans at family dinner that evening – after dropping one or two sly hints.
Tesco staff in front of the store at the Market Green Shopping Centre in Midleton(Image: Gerard McCarthy Photography)
He said: “The newspaper was left on the dinner table, so I asked them what they would do if they won the prize money. When I told them I had the winning ticket, it was madness! That moment is something we’ll never forget.”
The lucky winner and his family already have plans to celebrate with a big trip to Disneyland Paris. He’s also very excited about starting a big home renovation project, just to keep busy in his spare time.
The €1m winner was just one of a number of players from Munster who took home big prizes from the National Lottery HQ in Dublin this week. Also in attendance were two siblings from Cork who were claiming their Lotto Match 5 + Bonus prize of €292,572 from Saturday, 22nd November. Their winning ticket was purchased from Costcutter at 14/15 Bridge Street in Cork city.
They said: “We just can’t believe it! The two of us have been in a syndicate together for years, although I usually just give my brother the money and he does all the ticket buying and checking – he’s the manager.
One added: “I watch the Lotto draw live every Wednesday and Saturday. I have my ticket at the ready, pen in hand, ready to tick off the numbers. Last Saturday, at 8.10pm, I was already on the phone to my sister to tell her the news, it was brilliant.”
After their sudden windfall, one sibling is looking forward to doing some home improvements, while the other has their sights set on a brand-new kitchen for hosting family and tea parties.
A Limerick woman also collected her Telly Bingo Snowball prize of €45,005 from 14th November. Her winning ticket was purchased from Post Office, Main Street Hospital, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick.
She told the National Lottery team: “I love playing Telly Bingo. I watch it live every week, and all my family and friends know that I won’t answer the phone when it’s on!” All I needed was number 40, and then Declan Buckley called out number 40! I couldn’t believe it – I’d say my neighbours heard me screaming!”
This delighted winner is now looking forward to booking a trip next year and enjoying a lovely Christmas with family.
These new updates come after news of another big Lotto win in Cork. The National Lottery have confirmed a Cork woman recently scooped €50k on this year’s seasonal scratch card collection. She won the top prize on a €5 Merry Money Scratch Card which she bought at Applegreen on the Harbour Road in Hollyhill – and now, she’s planning some pretty special festive celebrations.