We've all dreamt of what would happen if we win the lotto. The cars we would buy, the holidays we would go on, and how fast we could get into Brown Thomas.
But do you know what actually happens when you win?
Once the initial euphoria of seeing your numbers come up wears off there are some very important procedures to be followed and knowing what to do will help to smooth the process.
With that in mind, we got on to the National Lottery to find out what's what so you know what to do if you ever find yourself in possession of a winning ticket :
Checking your tickets
Firstly when you win big and you scan your ticket in a newsagent it won't say 'you're a winner'. Large winning tickets will instruct winners to 'contact the National Lottery Claims Department'. So if you see that sentence flash up get ready to party.
Meeting with lotto officials
Once you go into Lotto HQ with the ticket it's checked by officials and if all is good you are then brought into a room filled with white leather couches and given as much Laurent Perrier Champagne as you want for you and all your friends.
On the coffee table in front of you are books on buying islands and luxury cars so there is plenty of inspiration on how you can splash the cash.
Once you are settled you will be shown a video presented by Craig Doyle who will congratulate you on your win while telling you to take some time before you make any big financial plans.
The decision to go public or remain anonymous is entirely up to the individual. Contrary to popular belief you are not paid anything extra for going public. If you do go public you will have to fulfill various media obligations, such as a photo call for the national media, and your name will be released to the wider world.
Only about 10 percent of big winners decide to go public.
Claiming your prize
You have to meet with the National Lottery in person to claim a prize over €50k where you have to provide identification and a signed ticket. They will suggest you open a private bank account to receive the money into, to protect your privacy.
So how long does it take to get the cash?
If you've won the EuroMillions it can take a few days or up to a week for the money to come in as Ireland has to wait for all the other European countries to payout.
What if you bought your ticket abroad?
If you bought your winning EuroMillions ticket in France or Spain while on holiday you will have to go back to France or Spain to claim your prize.
The most common places people keep their winning ticket is in their bra, under a pillow, in their shoe, and behind a picture in a frame according to National Lottery officials.
What if your ticket is damaged?
Don't worry if your ticket goes into the washing machine and has to be ironed afterward the good news is that the national lottery does accept winning tickets that have gotten wet or a tad damaged.
Back in May 2016 a lucky Wicklow couple who scooped a quarter of a million euro sheepishly handed in a tea-bag stained Lotto ticket to National Lottery officials after they retrieved it from their kitchen bin on the Monday after the draw. They still went home happy.
Why you should sign your family's name on the ticket
If you sign your family's name on the back of a ticket that means they will receive their winnings tax-free. However, the National Lottery says it does not provide professional financial advice directly to winners but recommends that they seek appropriate and independent advice.’
The good news is that lottery wins are tax free, but any income you earn by investing is subject to tax.
What do winners spend their money on?
Lastly, the most popular thing women do after leaving Lotto HQ, according to Lotto bosses, is to go shopping in Brown Thomas. For men, it's buying a Manchester United box, a home, holiday, or car.
So there you go, to the Irish winner of the Euromillions, who is waking up €250m richer today, good luck with your winnings and remember to share the good fortune!
