Express & Star

Couple’s huge EuroMillions win becomes talk of the village in Moira

Patrick and Frances Connolly only moved to the tight-knit community in Co Down recently after 25 years away from Northern Ireland.

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Euromillions winners

Lottery excitement swept the Co Down village of Moira on Friday as news emerged the EuroMillions jackpot winners were among them.

There was much speculation in the tight-knit community over who had scooped the incredible £115 million prize.

Very few knew Patrick and Frances Connolly, however, as they have only recently moved to the upmarket village.

The couple returned to Northern Ireland in recent years after 25 years in the north-east of England.

Euromillions winners
The home the Connollys have been renting in Moira (Liam McBurney/PA)

From the luxurious surroundings of the Culloden Hotel on the outskirts of Belfast, they toasted their win with champagne.

It was a little different to the rented house in a neat modern development in Moira where the couple have been living.

The development includes grand detached homes as well as the more modest type of house the Connollys call home at this stage.

Of their neighbours, few knew them other than friendly faces to say ‘hello’ to.

Euromillions winners
Tractors are a common sight on the high street (Liam McBurney/PA)

It is a short distance from the development to the bustling main street, on which tractors from the surrounding countryside are as common a sight as cars.

The new multi-millionaires were the talk of businesses along the street, from the supermarket where Frances occasionally bought lottery tickets – although the big winning ticket was purchased online – to charity shops, pubs, estate agents and butchers.

At McCartney’s of Moira, a prominent butcher, deli and cafe complex, Patrick was the face some of the staff recognised.

Cafe assistant Bernie Baine said she remembered serving him.

“I recognised him when I saw the photograph of the winners,” she said.

“As soon as I saw him, I knew the face.

“I remember serving him coffee and maybe some of our tray bakes, you serve a lot of people in here but once you see a face, you don’t forget it.

“When I heard the winner was from Moira, I was hoping it was a customer I had served who really liked my service and would come back and give me a tip.

“If he comes back, I’ll be serving him on a gold platter.”

Euromillions winners
The jackpot win has been the talk of the village (Liam McBurney/PA)

Deli worker David Campbell said the fact the winners were in Moira had been the talk of the shop all day.

“Customers coming in today, that’s all they are talking about,” he laughed.

“They were all saying they hope they find out they are related to them, some sort of far out relations.

“There has been a real buzz about it.”

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