Lotto couples take New York by storm
The winners of a scratch card promotion hit the streets of Manhattan over the past week with the singular intention of fulfilling the cliché “shop ’til they drop”.
The group of 39 winners of the Big Money Game and their companions were flown out to the Big Apple for a six-day luxury break with €2,500 spending money each.
A raised terror threat in the city as well as anti-capitalism protests including a mass demonstration on Brooklyn Bridge did little to deter the visitors from their mission.
Among the highlights of the National Lottery’s annual trip to New York was a four-course evening meal while cruising along the Hudson River and a night at the hit musical, Jersey Boys on Broadway.
For many of the winners, like brothers Graham and Alan Neary from Waterford City, it represented a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to soak up the unique atmosphere of New York. It was Graham’s first visit to the US, while Alan got to experience flying for the first time.
“It’s been absolutely fantastic. I’ve enjoyed every minute,” said Graham, who also took part in a treasure hunt around the streets of New York with TV presenter Brian Ormond and his wife Pippa O’Connor for a live broadcast of Will Leahy’s show on 2FM.
Shirley and Tom Yates from Athy, Co Kildare, also won a prize of a helicopter ride over Manhattan.
However, the experience was somewhat muted following Tuesday’s helicopter crash on the Hudson in which a British tourist died.
“It’s a little scary when you think about it,” said another winner, Teresa Ward from Strabane, Co Tyrone, who had also taken a helicopter ride just over an hour before the fatal accident.
The visit to New York was also extra special for another pair, Mick and Eva Dempsey from Clane, Co Kildare, as they received an unannounced visit from their son, Kevin and his girlfriend, Bernie Browne, who were in the middle of a round-the-world trip.
“It was a great surprise as we thought they were in San Francisco,” said Mick. “I’d never won anything before and seeing Kevin and Bernie is just the icing on the cake of a brilliant week.”
For another winner, Kathleen Carroll from Listowel, Co Kerry, the highlight proved to be a visit to Ground Zero.
“It’s been 30 years since my previous visit to New York and a lot has changed,” she said.
