€5m Lotto up for grabs with luck of the Irish

Amy Cong sold a winning EuroMillions ticket in January

Sean O'Grady

The luck of the Irish could come through for punters this weekend, with the St Patrick's Day Lotto jackpot soaring to €5m.

So far in 2018, there have been two Lotto jackpot winners - who have scooped more than €11.5m in prizes.

Officials are hoping a lucky third will become a millionaire this weekend.

The jackpot was last won on February 21, when a group of friends scooped up €7.1m while playing online.

Meanwhile, another punter won the Daily Millions top prize of €1m in February, with the winning ticket being sold in Dublin.

"There is no better way to celebrate our national holiday than by playing Lotto and winning a big pot of gold," a National Lottery spokesperson said.

"We are expecting huge interest with the jackpot rolling and with people on a long weekend.

Winning

"We are advising our players to play early."

The Village Shop in Malahide sold the winning ticket for the EuroMillions in early January.

Shop owner Amy Cong was shocked when EuroMillions officials stopped by to inform her she had sold the ticket, worth €38.9m.

"We have no idea who the lucky winner is but we wish them the best of luck in the future," she said.

"It was just unbelievable news.

"We have barely been able to contain our excitement."

Nearly 30c in every euro spent on National Lottery games goes to other causes, such as sport, health, heritage and culture.

Last year, more than €225m was raised through the Lotto.

Tickets can be bought in store or on lottery.ie.