32 members of The Garden of Eden Community Childcare Centre in Raheny, Dublin 5 had a great Easter weekend when they landed a EuroMillions prize, worth €115,658, in last Friday’s EuroMillions draw. This win was a Match 5 prize and there were only eight Match 5 prizes won in EuroMillions in Europe last Friday. The lucky Raheny group, who purchased their ticket in Centra, Edenmore Shopping Centre, Raheny, have only been playing EuroMillions as a group for four weeks. They were only two numbers away from winning the jackpot prize of over €43 million, which was won last Friday in Spain.

‘We all feel extremely lucky at the moment and we recently had the privilege of an official opening by The President of Ireland, Mary McAleese. Now, with our EuroMillions win, we feel that the Crèche is set for great things in the future’, said Emma Lynch, Creche Manager, at today’s photocall in Edenmore.

The Garden of Eden Community Childcare Centre opened its new purpose built building in March 2010. Prior to that, Emma Lynch, the Centre’s Manager, had worked in the local playgroup since 1995, and saw the need for a community-based childcare service in the area which could offer parents affordable childcare. The Garden of Eden Community Childcare Centre has helped members of the community get back to work, education and training. There are currently 87 children in the care of the Garden of Eden Centre on a regular basis.

This lucky EuroMillions group has been playing the game for a total of only four weeks, and have had no other wins to date. The lucky staff members in the winning group are:

Emma Lynch (Manager) Ann-Marie Lambert (Assist.Manager) Carmel Whelan(Admin.) Sue Kane, Bernie McMullen, Lisa Keating, Christine Doherty, Nicola Askins, Sarah Ruth, Rachel McKnight, Louise Bissett, Trina Douglas, Mandy Byrne, Padraig Lynch, Michelle Daly, Louisa Howard, Linda McAlpine, Emily o Neill, Donna Coyle, Elaine McKivor, Helen Mooney, Orla Loehmann, Jennifer Pickett, Yvonne Smith, Linda Murphy, Lisa Harcourt, Louise Murphy,  Angela Maher, Ann Stanley, Marie Murphy, Audrey McGrath and Marie Harvey. The staff range in ages from 20 to 64 years.

While all 32 staff members expressed themselves ‘delighted’ with their win, no one has yet decided what to do with the windfall. A good staff night out is ‘definitely on the cards’, and all the children will be treated to a fun day as well, to help celebrate.