Lough Runs Out For Lotto Winner Dolores
30 Aug 2006

EuroMillions winner Dolores McNamara last week headed out on another shopping mission, but came home empty-handed.

The 48-year-old Irish mother-of-six who collected a cheque for €115million in August last year failed in a bidding war waged at a recent auction in Killaloe for 65 acres on the shores of Lough Derg.

Earlier this year Dolores acquired her spectacular residence Lough Derg Hall just outside Killaloe for €1.7million.

She also spent more than €850,000 for two houses in Castleconnell and Clarina for daughter Dawn and son Garry 27.

But when Dolores - accompanied by a close adviser - attended the public auction for the sale of 65 acres at Killestry about one mile from the centre of Killaloe on the Blackwater Road it didn’t lead to another purchase.

The bidding opened at €4.9million but Dolores’ adviser dropped out of the running before the property was knocked down to Limerick solicitor Joseph Murphy.

One person present said: “Everybody was amazed to see Dolores turn up for the auction. It certainly added to the excitement with everybody watching her every move.”

Auctioneer John Phelan of Harry Brann auctioneers said the solicitor who signed the contract was acting on behalf of two leading figures in the construction industry in Limerick and Clare.

Mr Phelan said: “It was a very well-attended auction with more than 100 people present.”

He said that although the land was zoned as agriculture it also had tremendous value for residential development.

He said: “As agricultural land it would have been valued at around €2million but because of its future potential for residential value this increased by 60 per cent.”

Dolores is now a regular at Gooser’s Bar and Restaurant in the lakeside village with members of her family.

She is usually driven in a €100,000 7-series BMW and rarely drives herself.

She spends much of her time at Lough Derg Hall hillside estate where she moved to from the modest bungalow in St Patrick’s Road Ballysimon some months ago.

It is believed that Dolores is anxious to buy sites in the Killaloe area for other members of her family.

Auctioneer Mr Phelan said: “There are not many properties coming on the market by the lake.

“A one-acre site with planning permission would fetch up to €600,000 at present.”

The only other piece of land Dolores has invested in was a double plot at Mungret cemetery on the southside of Limerick.

It cost €2,000 and her mother Betty O’Donovan was laid to rest there last November.