Radio host “wells up” over life-changing win

18:36, 08 May 2026Updated 18:49, 08 May 2026

RedFM’s Ciara Revins O’Connell reacting to the win

A radio presenter in Cork was moved to tears today after a listener’s family scooped a record-breaking cash prize.

It’s a life-changing surprise for the O’Riordan family in Ballincollig – and a very nice note to end the week on. The ‘Cash Machine’ competition is a daily prize, played all over the country, where listeners with a keen ear can text in a keyword spoken by the presenters – and then be entered into a draw for a significant cash prize.

And today’s win was Cork RedFM’s biggest prize yet, with a whopping €305,000 to be collected by listener Donal O’Riordan. Speaking on-air to host Ciara Revins, Donal said: “I can’t believe it, it’s going to change my life completely, like. I can’t thank you enough. You’re my favourite radio show.”

He added that he hopes to take his wife Susan and son Zach – the latter of whom has special needs – “for a nice holiday ” – and that his wife was jumping for joy when the announcement was made. You can see the moment below:

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Ciara was thoroughly touched by the exchange, saying afterwards: “When I hear this, you really do appreciate what a difference it can make to people’s lives. I’m, actually welling up.”

Of the competition rules, RedFM explained: “Tune in every day when our presenters will give you that cash machine amount, make a note of that number and get your entry in by texting RED to 57557 or by using the form below. It costs €2.50 to enter, you must be over 18, full terms and conditions are available here.

“Get your text in by 3pm on the day of the draw, when across the Go Loud Network of stations, Barry could be calling YOU! Stay close to that phone between 3-4pm that day, because you’ll need to answer within five rings, tell Barry the exact amount in euro AND cent – then the cash is yours!”

It follows another big win in Cork last month, when a Leeside player nabbed €1,005,000 on the National Lottery – but pledged to “continue with life as normal.”