RECEIVING THE KEYS: Marion Murphy pictured with her family from Gneeveguilla receiving the keys of their new home at No.5 Sailin Rae, Park Road winners of ‘Win a House in Killarney’. Front row from l-r were: Marion Murphy, Carmel Casey and John Lane (Committee Member Ardfert Community Council). Back row l-r were: Tim Foley, Niall Foley, Maurice O’Driscoll (Chairperson of Ardfert Community Council) and Angela Ryan (Treasurer of Ardfert Community Council). Photo: Marie Carroll-O’Sullivan 

By Michelle Crean

Winning a four-bedroom house worth €350,000 may be wishful thinking for most of us - but that's exactly what happened to Marion Murphy who is still getting over the shock.

Marion, who now lives in Bantry, had split the cost of the €100 ticket with her father Tim Foley, brother Niall and sister Carmel Casey, all from Gneeveguilla.

Ecstatic to learn that it was the winning ticket, Marion told the Killarney Advertiser that it still feels "surreal" for them.

"We were at home and we said we'd spilt the ticket and I bought it online," Marion said.

"It's still kind of unbelievable. It's like winning the Lotto. It's a lovely four-bed house, it's fab. It's amazing and we haven't really realised the extent of the win."

The 'Win a House in Killarney' draw saw participants hope to bag themselves No. 5 Sailin Rae, part of a new development of four bedroom semi-detached houses located just off Park Road. And it proved so popular that Ardfert Community Council, who set it up, have raised over €550,000 for their community project to create more recreational and public spaces in their community.

"Our target was to raise €530,000 and we've over €550,000 and still waiting on the total figure," Declan Raggett from Ardfert Community Council told the Killarney Advertiser.

The community have developed a full sized soccer astro pitch which opened a number of weeks ago, he added.

"We have a fully lit 800m long walkway which is open to the public. And there's a full sized grass field. Phase two is a full size hall, a public space for all," he said.

He added a huge thank you to everyone who supported the fundraiser.