Waking Ned Devine 1998

In the picturesque yet remote village of Tullymore, nestled in the heart of Ireland, an extraordinary event takes place that sends ripples of excitement through the community: someone has struck it rich, winning a staggering sum of several million in the National Lottery. In this quaint and close-knit traditional Irish setting, where everyone knows each other’s business, the identity of the fortunate winner remains shrouded in mystery. Enter the clever and cunning Jackie O’Shea, portrayed by the talented Ian Bannen, who embarks on a thrilling quest to unearth the winner through astute deduction. His plan involves hosting an extravagant chicken dinner, not only to foster camaraderie among the townsfolk but also to curry favor with potential Lottery winners, all in hopes of sharing a slice of the newfound wealth.

As Jackie sifts through the peculiar behaviors of his neighbors, it gradually becomes apparent that the only logical winner could be the reclusive Ned Devine, an elderly retiree living a solitary life. Much to their shock, when Jackie and his close companion Michael O’Sullivan, played by David Kelly, drop by to congratulate Ned, they find him lifeless, clutching the winning Lottery ticket with a serene smile frozen on his face. The realization that the joy of winning proved too overwhelming for poor Ned is both tragic and comedic, thrusting Jackie into a whirlwind of scheming. Guided by a vivid dream where the spirit of Ned implores him to share the winnings with their impoverished village, Jackie devises an outlandish plan. He convinces Michael to impersonate Ned during the verification process with a Lottery commission representative.

What follows is a delightful series of misadventures as the villagers rally together, each contributing to this whimsical charade, expertly convincing the Lotto observer that Michael is indeed the late Ned Devine. The entire town, with the exception of one individual, eagerly devises a convoluted offshore banking scheme to facilitate the cashing of their newfound fortune, igniting a jubilant atmosphere of anticipation and celebration. However, amidst the festivities, an unexpected threat emerges in the form of the town’s infamous “witch,” Lizzie Quinn. Portrayed with a touch of humor by Eileen Dromey, Lizzie poses a significant risk as she threatens to alert the authorities for a fraud reward. Anxiously inching her way towards the only working phone in the area, located within a telephone booth along a winding coastal road, she finds herself in a perilous situation.

As Lizzie struggles with her motorized wheelchair, fate intervenes when she is suddenly struck by the Parish Priest in his van, leading to her unintended demise. The village’s joyous celebration escalates as the consequence of Lizzie’s unfortunate accident ensures that the lottery winnings remain intact, transforming everyone in Tullymore into a millionaire. In a perfect blend of laughter and charm, all loose ends are neatly tied up in this enchanting tale, leaving the audience with both a smile and a warm-hearted sense of community that defines the spirit of Tullymore.