A lucky shopper in Cork city is now a millionaire after a ticket sold at a local filling station hit the jackpot in the EuroMillions Ireland Only Raffle. The National Lottery has confirmed that the winning ticket is worth €1,005,000, marking one of the most significant individual wins for the area in recent history.
The winning ticket was purchased on Thursday, April 2, at the Marina XL Filling Station on Monahan Road. According to lottery officials, the winner utilized the “Quick Pick” option, allowing the system to randomly select the numbers that ultimately secured the seven-figure windfall.
As the city wakes up to the news, the National Lottery is urging the holder of the ticket to check their numbers carefully and come forward to claim the prize. Because the ticket was a Quick Pick, the winner may not even realize they have a specific set of numbers to track, making the public announcement critical for the recovery of the funds.
A Milestone for Monahan Road
For the team at the Marina XL Filling Station, the win is more than just a windfall for a customer; it is a landmark moment for a business that has turn into a staple of the local community. Store owner Tim O’Donoghue, who has operated the business in the Marina area for 23 years, described the atmosphere in the shop as one of sheer excitement.
“What a fantastic win for one of our customers here in Cork!” O’Donoghue said. “We’ve been proudly serving the Marina area for 23 years, and this is by far our biggest win to date. We’re a busy store with customers coming and going all day, so there’s huge excitement among the team knowing that one of those shoppers is now a millionaire.”
O’Donoghue added that the staff are delighted for the anonymous winner, wishing them the very best as they navigate their new financial reality.
Understanding the Ireland Only Raffle
The EuroMillions Ireland Only Raffle differs from the main EuroMillions draw. While the primary jackpot is shared across multiple European nations, the Ireland Only Raffle is a separate draw exclusive to players within the state. This mechanism ensures that a portion of the prize pool remains local, frequently producing millionaires across various Irish counties regardless of the main jackpot’s outcome.
From a financial perspective, a win of €1,005,000 is particularly potent in the Irish market. Unlike many other jurisdictions, lottery winnings in Ireland are generally not subject to capital gains tax or income tax, meaning the winner receives the full amount of the prize. For a sudden millionaire, this represents a significant injection of liquidity that, if managed correctly, can provide generational wealth.
The ‘Quick Pick’ Phenomenon
The fact that this ticket was a Quick Pick is a detail that often resonates with players. While some devotees spend years tracking “hot” or “cold” numbers, the Quick Pick removes the psychological burden of selection. In this instance, the randomness of the machine proved to be the winning strategy, reinforcing the purely stochastic nature of the EuroMillions game.
How to Claim the Prize
The National Lottery has issued specific instructions for the winner to ensure the prize is secured and the claim process is seamless. The first and most critical step is for the holder to sign the back of the ticket immediately, which serves as a primary layer of security and proof of ownership.
Once the ticket is signed and stored in a safe location, the winner is advised to contact the Prize Claims team. The lottery provides two primary channels for this: a dedicated phone line at 1800 666 222 or via email at [email protected]. Following the initial contact, the National Lottery will arrange a formal appointment for the winner to collect their prize at the Lottery HQ.
| Step | Action Required | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sign the back of the ticket | Establishes legal ownership |
| 2 | Secure the physical ticket | Prevents loss or theft of the asset |
| 3 | Contact Prize Claims Team | Initiates the verification process |
| 4 | Visit Lottery HQ | Finalizes the prize collection |
An Easter Weekend Surprise
The timing of the win has added an extra layer of celebration to the holiday period. Emma Monaghan, a spokesperson for the National Lottery, highlighted the serendipity of the timing for the Cork resident.
“It’s an Easter weekend to remember for one of our EuroMillions players in Cork, who has become the latest National Lottery millionaire of 2026!” Monaghan said. “We’re asking anyone who bought their ticket at Marina XL Filling Station to check their raffle number carefully. If you’re holding the winning ticket, maintain it somewhere safe and contact our Prize Claims team. We’re absolutely thrilled for Ireland’s newest millionaire!”
While the identity of the winner remains unknown, the announcement has sparked a wave of “ticket checking” across the city, as residents who visited the Monahan Road filling station over the weekend double-check their slips.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Individuals who come into sudden wealth are encouraged to seek professional financial planning and legal counsel.
The National Lottery will continue to monitor the status of the ticket. If the prize remains unclaimed, official updates regarding the ticket’s status will be provided through their corporate communications channels. For now, the city waits to see who will step forward as Cork’s newest millionaire.
Do you have a story about a local win or tips on managing a windfall? Share your thoughts in the comments below or share this article with someone who might need to check their tickets.
