Where is Dolores McNamara now? Ireland's most famous Lotto winner
On Tuesday night, as the staggering €250m EuroMillions jackpot was won on our shores, creating a brand new Irish millionaire.
The winning numbers were 13, 22, 23, 44, 49, with lucky star numbers of 3 and 5. Dolores McNamara. Pic: Colin Keegan/Collins Photos
The jackpot represents the biggest EuroMillions win in the history of the draw. The win eclipsed the previous top prize of a jaw-dropping €175.4 million, claimed by a family syndicate from Naul, Dublin in February, 2019.
The big win has us taking a walk down memory lane, looking back on the most famous lotto winner and record holder for years, Dolores McNamara.
The Limerick native was the talk of the nation on August 4 2005 when she arrived at Lotto HQ to collect a cheque for the biggest lotto jackpot in European history. Dolores McNamara arriving to pick up her cheque from Lotto HQ in 2005. Pic: Collins Dublin
The now 65-year-old had previously found out she scooped €115m in the Euromillions on Friday, July 30.
The €115m jackpot win was making headlines nationwide, with many eager to catch a glimpse of the lucky recipient.
However, the fanfare had Dolores nervous, with the new millionaire deciding to forego the press and instead releasing a statement through her solicitor.
In the statement, he spoke about her 'desire to return to normality as soon as possible.' He said: 'She is absolutely determined that her feet and the feet of her family, will remain firmly on the ground.' Dolores McNamara with National Lottery director Ray Bates in 2005. Pic: Photocall Ireland
The story behind how Dolores discovered her win is very much one for the ages, as she made the revelation in her local pub, the Track Bar.
The Limerick native asked her friend to check her ticket, as the draw played out on the grainy pub tv set.
A barmaid at the bar described the scenes following the win: 'Then the drink started flowing and the champagne was poured and we had a great night celebrating. Dolores is a real nice woman and none of her friends believe this will change her drastically.'
Her win made her the 58th richest person in Ireland at the time, with it being estimated that Dolores would earn up to €3 million a year in interest alone. Dolores McNamara with her cheque Pic: Colin Keegan/Collins Photos
How did she spend her winnings you ask? Well her first port of call was to purchase Lough Derg Hall, an expansive home estimated at €1.7million.
Dolores additionally purchased houses in and around the area for her six children, Dawn, Gary, Kim, Kevanne, Dean, and Lee.
In 2012, the family bought Tinarana House, a luxury lakeside estate, for a reported €3.46 million.
These days, Dolores is a grandmother of nine and lives a quiet life outside of the public eye.
The millionaire has only ever spoken once publicly since her enormous €115 million win, having given an interview to her local paper, the Limerick Leader.
She told the paper: 'The question that has been asked of me most frequently was how I felt about my win and my answer is still the same – I feel disbelief and shock.
'Buying a ticket for that Euro jackpot was a spur-of-the-moment decision. I'd actually gone into the shop to buy a top-up for my phone and just asked the lady for a Lotto ticket.'
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