'They've now become the highest ever winner of an Irish National Lottery game, so that is some title to hold'
The National Lottery CEO Cian Murphy has advised players to check their tickets carefully after it was revealed that the €250 million Euromillions jackpot has been won by an Irish ticket holder,
The winning numbers are 13, 22, 23, 44, 49, Lucky Stars 3 and 5.
It's not yet known where or when the winning ticket was bought but it was in a retail outlet and not online, according to National Lottery chiefs
The Euromillions jackpot is capped once it reaches €250m and is the highest amount that can be won.
"We are absolutely thrilled to see this incredible and record win for an Irish Euromillions player.
"We are advising our players to check their tickets and if they are the winner, sign the back of the ticket, keep it safe, and contact National Lottery HQ and we will guide you through the claims process," he said.
National Lottery spokesperson Emma Monaghan said it was all hands on deck last night after the news filtered through of the record-breaking win.
It is the highest possible amount that can be won on the EuroMillions - which is capped at €250 million - and eclipses the €175m win by the Naul Family syndicate in Dublin in 2019.
"It's great news for Irish players, we are the delighted for the winner," she said.
"They've now become the highest ever winner of an Irish National Lottery game. So that is some title to hold."
Ms Monaghan said the claims team does not open until 9am.
"If anyone has found they are holding the winning ticket, they should sign the back of it and keep it somewhere safe," she said.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, she said it is an eye watering amount of money to win and no doubt has come as a huge shock to the winner.
"If at all possible - stay calm," she said.
Ms Monaghan said players have 90 days to claim the prize, but she hopes that the holder of the winning ticket comes forward before then.
In the meantime, have a cup of tea, she advised, and maybe get some financial and legal advice.
"If at all possible, to stay calm, I know that might be easier said than done. Have a cup of tea and just let it sink in. Players do have 90 days to claim the prize. So I'm hoping that they will make contact before then."
The National Lottery said it is ready to guide the winner through the process once they are ready to come forward.
The winning numbers are 13, 22, 23, 44, 49 - Lucky Stars 3 and 5.
In June 2013, a Dublin player picked up more than €93m in a share of a jackpot worth over €187m, while in July 2020 an online player won €49.5m with a €2.50 ticket.
In February 2019, a large family syndicate from The Naul in North Dublin with connections to Bellewstown and Duleek emerged as winners of a mega €175.4 million EuroMillions jackpot.
That was the highest single winning jackpot in the history of the National Lottery until last night. The last highest win was €115 million won by Limerick woman Dolores McNamara on a EuroMillions jackpot in 2005.