Search Continues for Ireland’s First Lotto Millionaire of 2026

The search is underway for the first Lotto millionaire of 2026 in Ireland, following a significant win in the New Year’s Eve Millionaire Raffle. The National Lottery is encouraging players, especially those in the Cavan area, to carefully check their tickets, as one lucky player may not yet realize they have won a life-changing prize of €1 million.

The winning ticket, numbered 322259, was purchased at the busy Cullies Maxol Service Station on Ballyhaise Road, marking the third millionaire win for Cavan in recent weeks. This latest victory comes shortly after a family syndicate in the region claimed a remarkable €17 million EuroMillions jackpot on December 12, 2025.

Local Shop Owner Celebrates Major Win

Jim Burke, the owner of the Cullies Maxol Service Station, expressed his excitement upon receiving the news about the winning ticket. “We were thrilled to get the call that our shop sold this year’s winning Millionaire Raffle ticket! While we’ve had a few lottery wins before, nothing compares to this – it’s by far the biggest,” he stated. Burke highlighted the store’s role within the community, noting the regular customers who frequent the shop.

He added, “To receive such amazing news on the first day of the year is incredible, and knowing that any one of our customers could be the winner makes it even more exciting. We can’t wait for the buzz in the shop over the coming days.”

Instructions for Potential Winners

Emma Monaghan, a spokesperson for the National Lottery, urged all players in the area to check their tickets thoroughly. “Whether you bought a Millionaire Raffle ticket for yourself or received it as a gift, we’re urging everyone to check their tickets today,” she said.

Players can verify their tickets by using the National Lottery app, checking online, or visiting any participating store. Those holding the winning ticket are advised to sign the back, keep it secure, and contact the Prize Claims team at 1800 666 222 or via email at [email protected] to arrange the collection of their prize at Lottery Headquarters.

Cavan has experienced an exceptionally fortunate streak, recently witnessing a family syndicate claim their €17 million EuroMillions jackpot. This particular ticket was purchased at Lidl in Cavan town, contributing to Ireland’s growing list of EuroMillions wins, which includes the record-breaking €250 million prize claimed by a family in Cork during the summer of 2025.

As the excitement builds, the National Lottery continues to remind players that checking tickets can lead to life-altering surprises. With the potential millionaire still unknown, the community is buzzing with anticipation.