Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Winderful life
A spending spree could get Messi
fortune appeared to be a comfortable fit. There was no hesitation, when asked the usual questions about how the money will change their lives.
But Frances smiled as she added: “Money doesn’t bring you happiness, but this is the icing on a very nice cake.”
Patrick said he already had a “wonderful wife and a wonderful family” before the win.
The couple both went to Queen’s University Belfast. Frances is from Glebe in Co Tyrone while her husband is from Belfast. They met at a friend’s wedding in 1989 and have been together ever since. They spent 25 years working in Hartlepool, Co Durham, and recently returned to a rented property in Moira, Co Down.
Patrick ran a small business at one stage before going on to work for others. His expertise is in manufacturing.
Frances worked as an educational programme co-ordinator and plans to do a PHD in clinical psychology.
They have three grandchildren, two boys and a girl, and three daughters, one aged 30 and twins aged 24.
One twin is in New Zealand studying for a masters degree. Her mum said she will be travelling home and, during her stopover, has been upgraded from a hostel to a modest hotel.
Mr Connolly paid tribute to his “wonderful” wife and family. He said they had never lived an overly extravagant lifestyle but joked that could be about to change.
He said he was retired for now while he decides what to do in the future while his wife said: “I am retired - 100%.”
They said they wanted to focus on charitable work in the future, on job creation and doing good deeds.
Frances would not disclose details of those they would be helping but promised to create some more millionaires from a list of 50 people.
She added: “It is going to be so much fun. The pleasure for me will be seeing their faces and asking what they want us to do for them.” EUROMILLIONS couple Patrick and Frances Connolly are today asking the question everyone has pondered: What would we do if we won the lottery?
The difference, of course, is the scenario is real for the Co Down pair.
Here’s a look at what they could get for £115million.
It’s a long way from their home in Moira to the Bahamas but there’s a private island for sale for £5.8million. Bonefish Cay is a Caribbean getaway to beat all others with more than 13 acres, white sandy beaches and luxury suites. They’ve already said they’ll give a junior football club in Hartlepool a lump sum to help them out.
And they could go the whole hog and buy either Cristiano Ronaldo or Leo Messi.
Although, they probably wouldn’t get much change from their jackpot. Alternatively, Patrick’s revealed his favourite car is an Alfa Romeo and he could pick up a 1948 version for a bargain £2.74million.