Connemara Chamber draw raises €1.8 million for Clifden community and enterprise hub

Douglas Berg from Wisconsin was the winner of a magnificent 3-bedroom luxurious duplex apartment when the Win a Home in Clifden fundraising draw was held.

His was the first ticket out of the drum at the big finale in the Clifden Station House Theatre on Thursday night last.

“I just couldn’t believe it when I got the call. It’s a fantastic apartment in such a beautiful location. It’s always been a dream of mine to buy a property in Ireland,” said Douglas.

His great great grandfather was Robert Barry from Carna and great great grandmother was Barbara Conneely from Lettermullan. His great grandfather was William Barry from Inverin.

Douglas has been to Ireland numerous times over the years and is a regular visitor and friend of the Emigrants and Diaspora Centre in Carna which is run by journalist Máirtín Ó Catháin — who is a cousin of the winner and was in the audience for the big draw finale.

In just over four months, Connemara Chamber raised more than €1.8 million which has proved to be one of the most successful fundraising draws ever to take place on this Island.

Winner: Douglas Berg from Wisconsin.

“I just want to thank everybody who supported us and bought tickets since we launched our campaign last April. The response locally, nationally and overseas has just been incredible,” said John Sweeney, Chairperson of Connemara Chamber and the Win A Home in Clifden project.

All proceeds from the draw are going towards the development of a state-of-the-art community and enterprise hub in the centre of Clifden, a project led by the Connemara Chamber.

The hub will provide vital professional resources and support to local businesses, fostering efficiency, productivity and innovation, and creating new opportunities for the entire community.

“I’d also like to thank our members and all the local businesses that helped us along the way. But a special word of thanks to the brilliant team who worked tirelessly on this draw in Terry O’Toole, Damien Joyce, Simon Ashe, Conall Joyce, Sadhbh O’Gorman, Bernie Collins, Nicole Bann, Michelle Price, Aidan Brady (Aidan Brady & Co Ltd), Cormac Donoghue (JEL Marketing) and Paul Byrnes Media,” added John.

Tickets were bought in all 32 counties and in 40 countries around the world including the UK, across Europe and Asia. Tickets were also sold in Australia and in all 50 American states. The full draw and details of all the prize winners are on the website www.winahomeinclifden.com

Pictured: Drawing the winning ticket in the Win A Home In Clifden promotion are (from left)  Aidan Brady, special guest  Fr James Ronayne, PP Clifden, and external reviewer Declan Mannion, Mannion Lochrin & Co.