Latest news with #RichardO'Brien
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Louth lotto syndicate of 11 tradesmen wins €255,000 EuroMillions
The syndicate are 'Jacks of All Trades', made up of builders, plumbers, electricians, and engineers that have been playing together for five years. The group has stuck to a simple system: one group chat, one EuroMillions ticket each, three lines with the Plus, and everyone keeping an eye on every ticket. On this occasion, their winning Quick Pick ticket was purchased by head of the syndicate, Richard O'Brien, at Applegreen, Newfoundwell Road, Greenbatter, Drogheda, Co. Louth, on the day of the draw. That ticket held the all-important raffle number: I-SDL-14299, and Richard said he initially thought they won a modest €5,000. Typically, every EuroMillions draw produces ten winners of the €5,000 Ireland-Only Raffle prize, but last month players have the chance to win an additional €250,000. 'One of the lads said, 'check again, we've won a lot more than that. There's a special raffle on'. I thought he was pulling my leg until I looked it up. That's when I saw we'd won an extra €250,000. 'The phone was hopping with calls and texts for the rest of the night. It was madness but great excitement,' Richard said. The next morning, Richard phoned the National Lottery Claims team to confirm the win. That evening, the group met up to sign the back of the winning ticket and celebrated their win together. There are many plans for spending the winnings, with talks of holidays and sun destinations, and one winner has his heart set on buying a couch for his partner. The crew of 11 travelled to the National Lottery Headquarters today to collect and celebrate their winnings. This marks the second win in Drogheda over the last week, with €255,000 won last week. Nearly 30 cent in every €1 spent on National Lottery games goes back to good causes in the areas of sport, youth, health, welfare, education, arts, heritage and the Irish language. In total, more than €6.5 billion has been raised for good causes since the National Lottery was established 37 years ago. In 2024 alone, €239.3 million was raised for local good causes in communities across Ireland.
RTÉ News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
GAZE Festival previews 33rd year of queer cinema gems
The GAZE LGBTQIA Film Festival 2025 returns to Dublin this summer with a vibrant lineup of feature films and shorts that celebrate queer storytelling and culture. Taking place from 29 July to 4 August at the Light House Cinema and the Irish Film Institute in Dublin, the festival is set to mark its 33rd edition with an exciting programme. Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror will make its Irish premiere at the festival. Directed and produced by Linus O'Brien - son of Rocky Horror creator Richard O'Brien - this 2025 American documentary pays tribute to the enduring legacy of the iconic 1975 cult musical. Documentary, I'm Your Venus, explores the life and legacy of the late Venus Xtravaganza, beloved star of Paris is Burning. Decades after her tragic murder, the film reunites Venus' biological and ballroom families in a powerful effort to reopen the case and seek justice for her long-unsolved death. Lesbian Space Princess is a brilliant showcase of queer animation at its most imaginative. This Australian absurdist animated comedy invites you on a wild interstellar adventure, as the fearless space princess embarks on a mission to rescue her bounty hunter ex-girlfriend. Closing the festival is Dreams In Nightmares a 2024 internationally co-produced dramedy that blends humour and hope to imagine vibrant queer futures in the face of rising anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment. Written, directed, and produced by Shatara Michelle Ford, the film follows three queer women on an emotional, and often hilarious road trip through a deeply divided Trump-era America. The full programme will be announced at GAZE's launch taking place at the Irish Film Institute on 24 June, during Pride Week. The event will also feature a special preview screening of Hot Milk, a bold and evocative adaptation of Deborah Levy's acclaimed novel.
Irish Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
'Jacks of all trades' syndicate celebrate life-changing EuroMillions win
A Lotto syndicate made up of a crew of tradesmen have hammered home their biggest job yet after bagging a life-changing six-figure sum in a recent EuroMillions draw. The 11-strong crew of tradesmen travelled from corners of the east of the country to Lotto HQ in Dublin on Wednesday to collect their €255,000 prize, which they won in the special EuroMillions Ireland Only Raffle being run throughout the month of May. The syndicate, made up of builders, plumbers, electricians, and engineers, were one of 10 winners of the Ireland Only Raffle in the EuroMillions draw on May 27. And while that prize is usually worth €5,000, the National Lottery added an additional prize of €250,000 for one winner of the Ireland-Only Raffle for all nine EuroMillions draws during the month of May. The group's winning Quick Pick ticket was purchased by head of the syndicate, Richard O'Brien, at Applegreen, on Newfoundwell Road in Greenbatter, Drogheda, Co Louth, on the day of the draw. That ticket held the all-important raffle number: I-SDL-14299. The syndicate has been playing together for five years and the group has stuck to a simple system: one group chat, one EuroMillions ticket each, three lines with the Plus, and everyone keeping an eye on every ticket. Shortly after the draw on May 27, one eagle-eyed member beat Richard to checking the tickets and sent a simple message to the group saying: "This is a winner!" Richard initially thought they'd bagged a modest €5,000. "Then one of the lads said, 'Check again, we've won a lot more than that. There's a special raffle on.' I thought he was pulling my leg… until I looked it up. That's when I saw we'd won an extra €250,000!" said Richard. "The phone was hopping with calls and texts for the rest of the night. It was madness but great excitement!" he added. The next morning, Richard contacted the National Lottery Claims team to confirm the win. That evening, the group met up to sign the back of the winning ticket and celebrated their win together. Since then, the 11-strong crew have been happily debating how to spend their handsome windfall. One of the syndicate members plans on buying a new couch for his partner, another is helping a family member save for a house, and the group chat is now full of holiday plans and chatter on sun destination.
Scoop
27-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
How To Launch A Startup Business
Press Release – NZBizBuySell Starting a business is exciting, but it requires diligence, perseverance, and resilience. By following these fundamental steps, entrepreneurs can lay a solid foundation for their ventures and unlock their full potential in the world of business. Launching your own business is a thrilling prospect filled with promise and potential. However, navigating the intricacies of entrepreneurship demands careful planning and strategic execution. It's important to ensure you aren't one of the many start-up businesses that fails to make their second birthday. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional embarking on a new venture, here are five crucial steps to help you successfully kickstart your entrepreneurial journey: 1. Concept Refinement: Every successful business begins with a compelling idea that meets a market need. Begin by refining your concept to ensure its viability and make sure it aligns with your interests. Ask critical questions such as 'Why will people buy this?' and conduct market tests to validate your idea's potential. 2. Market Research: Thoroughly understanding your target audience, industry trends, and competitors is paramount. Conduct comprehensive market research to glean insights. Identify opportunities for innovation and differentiation. Analyse your competitors – this allows you to carve out a unique offering in the market. 3. Business Planning: Develop a well-crafted business plan that serves as a roadmap for your venture. Outline your objectives, target market, financial projections, and operational strategies to provide clarity and direction. A robust business plan also serves as a valuable tool for attracting investors and securing financing. 4. Legal Structure Selection: Choose the appropriate legal structure for your business to define ownership, liability, and taxation. Options include Sole Trader, Partnership, or Limited Liability Company, each with its own advantages and considerations. Consult legal experts to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. 5. Financial Management: Establishing sound financial management practices is crucial for long-term success. Develop a budget, open a business bank account, and implement accounting systems to track income, expenses, and cash flow effectively. Explore funding options and manage risks by investing in appropriate insurance. 'Aspiring entrepreneurs must approach starting a business with meticulous planning and unwavering dedication,' says Richard O'Brien, Director of Business for Sale listing platform 'By following these key steps and leveraging available resources, entrepreneurs can navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship with confidence and set their businesses on the path to success.' 'An often preferred and less risky path is to buy an existing business ' says O'Brien. 'Here the hard work has usually been done, the product or service has been proven and the business has established customers and cashflow' Starting a business is exciting, but it requires diligence, perseverance, and resilience. By following these fundamental steps, entrepreneurs can lay a solid foundation for their ventures and unlock their full potential in the world of business.
Scoop
26-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
How To Launch A Startup Business
Launching your own business is a thrilling prospect filled with promise and potential. However, navigating the intricacies of entrepreneurship demands careful planning and strategic execution. It's important to ensure you aren't one of the many start-up businesses that fails to make their second birthday. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional embarking on a new venture, here are five crucial steps to help you successfully kickstart your entrepreneurial journey: 1. Concept Refinement: Every successful business begins with a compelling idea that meets a market need. Begin by refining your concept to ensure its viability and make sure it aligns with your interests. Ask critical questions such as "Why will people buy this?" and conduct market tests to validate your idea's potential. 2. Market Research: Thoroughly understanding your target audience, industry trends, and competitors is paramount. Conduct comprehensive market research to glean insights. Identify opportunities for innovation and differentiation. Analyse your competitors - this allows you to carve out a unique offering in the market. 3. Business Planning: Develop a well-crafted business plan that serves as a roadmap for your venture. Outline your objectives, target market, financial projections, and operational strategies to provide clarity and direction. A robust business plan also serves as a valuable tool for attracting investors and securing financing. 4. Legal Structure Selection: Choose the appropriate legal structure for your business to define ownership, liability, and taxation. Options include Sole Trader, Partnership, or Limited Liability Company, each with its own advantages and considerations. Consult legal experts to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. 5. Financial Management: Establishing sound financial management practices is crucial for long-term success. Develop a budget, open a business bank account, and implement accounting systems to track income, expenses, and cash flow effectively. Explore funding options and manage risks by investing in appropriate insurance. "Aspiring entrepreneurs must approach starting a business with meticulous planning and unwavering dedication," says Richard O'Brien, Director of Business for Sale listing platform following these key steps and leveraging available resources, entrepreneurs can navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship with confidence and set their businesses on the path to success." 'An often preferred and less risky path is to buy an existing business ' says O'Brien. 'Here the hard work has usually been done, the product or service has been proven and the business has established customers and cashflow' Starting a business is exciting, but it requires diligence, perseverance, and resilience. By following these fundamental steps, entrepreneurs can lay a solid foundation for their ventures and unlock their full potential in the world of business.
