A Dublin man has revealed how the memory of a late friend inspired him to buy what turned out to be the winning ticket for a house on Arranmore.

Robert Donnelly was shopping on Henry Street with wife Suzann and their children Maebh and Cian when they received the call that their number had come up.

A member of Raheny GAA Club, Robert said he went “weak at the knees” when his friend told him the good news.

The 35-year-old entered the competition after seeing that a chunk of the proceeds will go to suicide and self-harm charity Pieta House.

His friend Eilís O’Leary, who played for Raheny GAA Club and was a member of the Dublin Senior B Team, passed away in 2009 at the age of just 20. Eilís had worked on Arranmore as a teacher and in her memory the Eilís O’Leary Trophy was established.

“She must have been looking down on us,” said Robert.

Over the years a strong connection has developed between the Raheny and Arranmore football clubs with members travelling from Dublin to Donegal each summer to teach.

Looking back to the moment he learned he was the owner of a stunning island home, the father-of-two said, “We were on Henry Street with the two children and bags of shopping when a friend of mine rang to ask if I had bought a ticket for the draw. I told him I had and he said ‘well you’re after winning it’.

“I got a bit weak at the knees. We were supposed to get the bus home because it was a day out for the kids and Cian wasn’t too impressed when I told him we were taking a taxi because I needed to sit down.”

The house belonged to Bryan and Lisa Gallagher who decided to raffle it after struggling to sell it through the more conventional route. Robert said the couple have been a fantastic source of support and were equally as excited by the fact their former home is going to another young family.

“Bryan and Lisa have been incredible and will be forever friends to us.”

A keen fisherman, Robert is looking forward to getting out of the city and spending long weekends on the island.

“I love Dublin but it will be nice to get a bit of release. I enjoy fishing so I’m looking forward to getting a little boat.

“It’s incredible and we are so blessed. To receive such a gift, we are so fortunate and we can’t wait to enjoy it and to share it with family and friends.”

As to whether Arranmore could one day become their permanent home, the Dubliner said no definite decisions have been made at this early stage.

“For me it’s a holiday home. I’ve been to Arranmore a few times but Suzann has never been. She is very excited and I think she would like to live there more than me. I can’t rule it out but for now it’s just about getting up to Donegal and seeing it.”