Introducing Ireland’s newest millionaires

“UP the Rebels!”

One could hardly blame Paul Cunningham for his spontaneous burst of joy yesterday.

For the €16.1 million National Lottery winner, all that remains to complete a dream week is for his beloved Cork hurlers to beat Waterford in Sunday’s All-Ireland quarter-final replay.

The favourite son, father and grandfather from Fairhill on Cork’s northside is a devoted GAA fan and supporter of Na Piarsaigh club.

Like the rest of his family, trying to come to terms with their record-breaking Lotto win, was a new experience for Mr Cunningham that will take its own time.

Ever since word emerged that the winning ticket had been sold in Cork, the country waited on tenterhooks for the holders to come forward and be acknowledged publicly.

For three days, the media virtually camped outside National Lottery HQ on Dublin’s Lower Abbey Street risking sunstroke from the untypical hot weather, waiting with fortitude to bring the drama to an expectant world.

The lottery people responded with understanding, providing refreshments for the media troops wrestling with the inaction generated by a long wait for a story to unfold.

In such a vacuum, all sorts of rumours abounded, such as the gold Rolls Royce that was taking the Cunninghams from Cork. Then, at lunchtime, the gleaming private coach arrived and the family came out into the sunshine, their smiles and gentle joy reflecting the glorious day.

At the photocall, the giant Lotto cheque made out to “The Cunningham Family” really needed to be that size to convey the vast sum involved.

A person could live comfortably on the interest — about €2,000 a day — without even touching the €16m winnings.

Reading from a prepared statement, family solicitor David McCoy said: “Life has been very exciting for the Cunninghams since last Saturday’s record win.

“Paul and Helen would like to thank their family, friends, neighbours and colleagues who have been in contact and wish them well,” he said.

It’s the biggest ever jackpot since the lottery began in 1988 and, for the record, was won with a €4 Quick Pick in last Saturday’s draw. The magical six numbers were 4, 13, 29, 32, 35 and 37.

The prize was worth €16,185,749. The seller, Twomey’s Centra store — located less than 200 metres from the Cunningham home in Farranree, is rewarded with €15,000.

The jackpot started its roll six weeks ago on June 20, finishing with some two million tickets sold for its 12th rollover.

National Lottery chief executive Dermot Griffin said Saturday’s draw had given over 2.5 million people all over Ireland “the opportunity to join in the fun and excitement of the game (not to mention a distraction from the dismal weather).”

In the process, he recounted, lots of records had been broken in terms of sales and prizes. As well, over €20m had been raised by Lotto players for good causes — which meant more sports facilities, health funding and lots of other cultural projects.

Since the lottery began 20 years ago, the Irish public had raised over €2.6bn for good causes, Mr Griffin said.