It'll be the hottest weekend of the year on Cork's Shandon St, says jackpot shop owner

TODAY was expected to be the hottest day of the year so far, but it's definitely going to be the hottest weekend ever on Shandon Street, the owner of the shop which sold this week's EuroMillions jackpot has predicted.

Ted Clifford, the third-generation owner of the shop which this week sold Ireland’s €250m ticket, missed celebrations in person, but still celebrated the win while on holiday.

Speaking to The Echo, Mr Clifford, who took over the shop from his dad Jim in 1985, hailed the win as historic for the shop and the street which is just a stone’s throw from the iconic Shandon Church - the beloved four liars clock tower.

“There was a great start to the year as we sold a €100,000 winning ticket to a local,” said Ted.

“And now this – I don’t know what’s coming next, they say good luck comes in threes! There’s obviously more luck on the way."

While the shop was busy this morning with locals coming in for messages, and workers buying cups of coffee on the way to their offices or building sites,  mystery still hung in the air regarding who had bought the winning ticket and when.

All Ted had to say on the subject was: “I send the person or group who bought the winning ticket our warmest congratulations."

Apart from the Euromillions win for the customer at Cliffords, the shop will get a nice €25,000 bonus for selling the golden ticket. 

“A small bit of a luck penny – we will celebrate as well,” said Ted, news which the shop’s team of 31 staff are more than happy to hear. 

“It’s a fabulous historic moment for the shop and Shandon Street,” he added.

Caroline Burns from Cathedral Road was on the street to visit the dress-maker nearby and came in to the shop to get some messages. 

“It’s really a win for the whole street,” she said. “It’s a great bit of news.” 

Mandy Lynch was walking up the street with her dog when she noticed the hullaballoo outside Clifford’s. 

“It’s wonderful altogether, a real boost.” 

When asked if she thought winning that kind of money would be a nightmare, Caroline’s advice to the winner was to keep their head!

The shop is bedecked with balloons and is welcoming a growing throng of media, photographers, reporters, interested locals and other well-wishers.

The shop was opened in 1930 by Ted’s grandfather, John. “They lived upstairs. My own father Jim was 16 when they went to Shandon Street, so he took it over then and I took it over 40 years ago - in 1985,” he said. 

They joined Centra owner, the Musgrave group, 28 years ago.