REVEALED: Where the €11 million Lotto ticket was won last night as shop says it's 'still sinking in'
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27 Feb 2026
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27 Feb 2026
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Pictured: Allbooks in Portlaoise were delighted to receive such a positive response from customers, one year on
While gathering post on Tuesday morning, a Laois worker was surprised to see that a letter had been sent to their business from the United States.
Allbooks in Portlaoise is well known for its fantastic literary selections and warm customer service, but its acclaim has reached a whole new level.
Mountmellick native Emily Phipps was working on the shopfloor in March of 2025, when two American tourists approached her for book recommendations.
Pictured: Allbooks Portlaoise worker Emily Phipps
"I remember that the sisters had the same favourite author as myself, I showed them my Terry Pratchett tattoo. They told me they were travelling across Europe, and had come to see Portlaoise," Ms Phipps told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.
"They came in looking for fantasy books, and we ended up talking about Terry Pratchett for half an hour," she laughed.
"The sisters came back the next day and loved the shop. They bought a good few books and souvenirs," she said.
Ms Phipps recalled telling her friends that she had encountered some fellow Terry Pratchett fans in the shop, and moved on with her work.
On February 24 of this year, Emily was surprised to be handed a letter by her manager- having come all the way from the United States.
"Receiving that letter really made my day, it was so nice to be recognised like that," Emily said.
"I try to be nice to everyone, I think everywhere in Portlaoise is like that though. All of the local businesses are so welcoming and friendly."
Allbooks were delighted to have received this letter, and are very proud of the recognition their staff has received.
"It's something a lot of businesses say, but we really are like a family. We are all get along so well, it says a lot about the business," Emily praised.
The business are excited to welcome little Laois locals into the shop for World Book Day next week, where children can avail of free books through World Book Day vouchers.
Ahead of World Book Day, Emily encourages Laois locals to read Irish authors, with plenty of selections to choose from in store.
Allbooks will be running their buy one, get one half price deal on books in store.
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