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08 Dec 2025
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08 Dec 2025
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In a move that seemed almost too good to be true, a retired US lawyer and Laois resident Sean O'Brien living in Laois decided to raffle off his €800k home with tickest on sale for €6 tickets.
The Durrow property was the talk of Laois, with thousands of tickets selling.
However, as the required 225,000 tickets were not sold to make up the value of the property, the raffle instead gave one lucky ticket holder the chance to win half of the money raised through ticket sales- a whopping €137,590.10.
Pictured: The stunning Durrow Greystone Manor
Dublin-based ticket holder Sreenish Shaji, who didn't wish to speak about the win, has bagged the almost €140,000, for the price of a €6 ticket.
Of the remaining 50% of the money raised through the €6 tickets, the raffle website Raffall took 10% of sales, with Mr O'Brien keeping 40%.
Sean O'Brien spoke to the Leinster Express / Laois Live about the raffle.
"I am really glad I gave it a try, I didn't know what to expect and there is a lot to it," Mr O'Brien explained.
"It requires making contacts with newspapers, TV stations and radio stations anywhere you can. You are selling yourself and your house, it's kind of hard work," he said.
"Without help, it is almost impossible to sell tickets. Also, trying to enlist the help of social media personalities. If they have a big audience it could really help. In my case, I didn't have contacts at any of these places," Mr O'Brien admitted.
Pictured: Greystone Manor
When asked whether he would consider selling the property, Mr O'Brien shared an exciting twist of events.
"I have learned a lot and a question I get a lot is, would I do it again? And my answer is, I might try again next year," he said.
"At least this time I would know what I'm doing. And my goal was to raffle my home and that didn't happen. I still want to move into the village. I just need to do better at getting the word out. I'm really happy for the family who won the money," Mr O'Brien finished.
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