History of good luck at Lahinch shop

THE North Clare shop that sold a €6 million winning Lotto ticket recently also sold the first jackpot-winning ticket in the county a quarter of a century ago, it is claimed.

Representatives from Lotto headquarters were in Lahinch last week congratulating management and staff of Kennedy’s Centra in the resort for selling the ticket.

A woman from Limerick bought the €4 quick pick-ticket, which scooped the jackpot from the Saturday,August 17 draw.

“My aunt also won the Lotto and bought the ticket here. Ita Coughlan was the first jackpot winner in Clare 25 years ago. There were six winners and the jackpot was £300,000, so that had to be split six ways.

“She was lucky in that she won it but unlucky in that it had to be shared between six people. Though that would have been about £50,000, which would have been worth a lot back then,” explained Robert Kennedy, owner of the Kennedy’s Centra Foodmarket.

“She bought the ticket in Barrett’s Centra here, so the ticket would have been from the same terminal. We are hoping the shop won’t have to wait as long again for the next big win. We are waiting for the Euro Millions. That is what we want to sell next, a Euro Millions jackpot-winning ticket,” he added.

According to Robert, North Clare is proving very lucky for Lotto players.

“The recent win was great for Lahinch and the lads in the pubs got great mileage out of it. Everyone had a good laugh. The area is very lucky.

“One of the biggest Lotto wins in Clare was in Ennistymon. I read lately that Clare had been the lowest for Lotto wins up to now so that is a change in fortunes,” he said.