Champagne celebrations as Irish work syndicate win Lotto

A syndicate of over 30 work friends have claimed their million-euro prize at Lotto HQ.

The group, who work together in Ballingly Joinery, Co Wexford, won €1,000,500 on February 3, after purchasing their winning ticket at Wallace Costcutters in Wellington Bridge, Wexford.

They have now collected their prize - all 32 of them!

The Ballingly Joinery syndicate manager, Wayne O’Neill, spoke about the excitement and disbelief that the Wexford winners felt when they heard about a big win in the area.

“After the draw, one of the syndicate members logged on to the National Lottery app and saw that the €1 million prize was won in Wellington Bridge, where we purchased our ticket. Of course, I was quick to check our ticket after hearing that and I could see that we had the Raffle number but I wasn’t sure if it was just €500 that we won or the special prize of the additional €1m.”

While a long weekend would usually be welcomed by all, the group found the extra day to be a bit of a burden that week.

“That particular weekend was a bank holiday which meant that it was Tuesday before I could confirm our win with the claims team, so to say it felt like the longest weekend in history would be an understatement.

“I think everyone was waiting in anticipation because the phone was hopping with calls and texts for days after. I thought I might have to leave the group or switch the phone off for a bit of peace!”

The group shared the good news with their Wexford community and one syndicate member had no choice but to join in the celebrations from a very special trip.

“The news was quick to get out to the community with so many of us in the syndicate. One of the members well and truly got her married life off to some start because she was actually on her honeymoon we won. What a time for a win! We’re all absolutely thrilled and have different plans for what we would like to do.

“We have been living for the big event in Lotto HQ and handing over the all-important ticket which has been living in a safe for the past few weeks. Now the most pressing plan we have is to enjoy a celebration together to mark the occasion.”