Published: Friday, 30th October, 2009 9:00am

Two Offaly winners of NY trip in National Lottery draw

Two Offaly natives were among 39 lucky Big Money TV Gameshow winners from all over Ireland who jetted off recently to New York city for a six day luxury break.

Mary Dunne and her husband Richard from Tullamore travelled recently to the Big Apple after winning a prize on the National Lottery's Big Money Game TV Gameshow, hosted by Derek Mooney, along with Brian Kelly from Clara, who took his wife Mairead on the trip of a lifetime along their two-year-old daughter Jane.

The RTÉ gameshow host accompanied the winners on their fun filled trip and was joined by 2FM's Will Leahy, who broadcast live from New York on October 13 last. €2,500 spending money was also part of this great prize for each of the 39 winners.

"Dreams come true in New York City and here at the National Lottery we're thrilled to bring 39 Big Money Game winners' dreams to life by sending them and their guests on a trip of a lifetime to the Big Apple," said Dermot Griffin, Chief Executive, National Lottery.

Once in New York, the group was transported by coach to the luxurious Sofitel Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, just a short stroll from Times Square, The Empire State Building and Fifth Avenue. On Saturday evening, the winners enjoyed a delicious four course meal at the Michelin Star River Café in Brooklyn. There, they enjoyed a breathtaking panoramic view of the Manhattan skyline by night.

The group also visited Broadway on Tuesday night, where they enjoyed the Tony award winning theatrical phenomenon Billy Elliot at the Imperial Theatre.

National Lottery good causes benefit from the sale of the Big Money Scratch Card, with one third of all sales (approx) going to fund beneficiary projects around the country, as designated by Government. Since the National Lottery was launched, over €3 billion has been raised for good causes.