A TINY village in Co Tyrone looks set to be home to several millionaires after the newest Lotto jackpot winners agreed to share their good fortune.
Frances and Patrick Connolly won almost £115 million, making them the fourth biggest UK lottery winners in history.
They have agreed to share their winnings among 50 friends and family members.
The couple's win was the main topic of conversation yesterday in Glebe, near Sion Mills.
Mrs Connolly is the oldest in a well-known family in the village, which has a population of just 672. Her late mother, Kathleen, who died last year, was a popular member of the community. Mrs Connolly's three sisters and two brothers still live in the area.
Her husband Patrick was born and raised in Belfast and attended St Malachy's College in the north of the city.
They said their first priority was to write a list of family and friends with whom to share their wealth.
They said the list stands at 50 - none of whom have been told.
Frances & Patrick Connolly celebrate their £115 million #EuroMillions win ?@irish_news? pic.twitter.com/ZsgZ4Ug9IG
— Suzanne McGonagle (@SuzMcGonagle) 4 January 2019
"This is a massive sum of money and we want it to have a huge impact on the lives of other people we know and love as well as on our future too," Mrs Connelly said.
"This win gives us the chance to really make a difference for our family and friends.
"I always hoped we would win the lottery one day, but when we did, it would be just our luck that lots of others would win on the same day with the same numbers too - never in my wildest dreams did I think we would ever win almost £115m."
The couple has been together for 30 years, living in Hartlepool for 25 years before recently returning to live in a rented property in Moira.
Mr Connolly said his expertise is in manufacturing and run a small business before going on to work for others. Mrs Connolly worked as an educational programme co-ordinator and plans to study for a PHD in clinical psychology.
Mr Connolly paid tribute to his "wonderful" wife and family.
He said they had never lived an overly extravagant lifestyle, joking that could be about to change.
