'It’s life-changing' - Dungarvan man wins four-bed Kerry home for just €1.99
Mark Allen at his new Kerry home with Megan O’Regan Byrne and Jenna Lee from the Waterford Blaa Team
A 28-year-old Dungarvan man has won a house in Kenmare, Co. Kerry for €1.99 after entering a recent Blaa Giveaways competition.
Mark Allen from Dungarvan, was announced as the winner of the highly anticipated Kenmare house competition from Irish giveaway platform Blaa Giveaways, which offered entrants the choice between taking ownership of the fully furnished four-bedroom home in Kerry or walking away with €350,000 in cash.
After a very tough decision, Mark chose to take the keys rather than the €350,000 cash alternative during the Live draw on Facebook and YouTube on Sunday, August 9, where his winning ticket number was selected.
Moments later, the Blaa Giveaways team called Mark live to deliver the life-changing news and capture his reaction.
Clearly shocked by the unexpected phone call, Mark said: “I’m actually shaking. I’m telling you, I was never expecting a phone call like this. Best phone call I’ve ever gotten. It’s life changing. I’m so shook, I’m in tears.”
Mark was then faced with an incredible decision – take the keys to the four-bedroom property in Kenmare or walk away with €350,000 in cash.
After being presented with the two options, Mark ultimately decided that the opportunity to own his own home was too good to pass up and chose to take the keys to the property in Kenmare.
Speaking about his win, Mark said: “It’s life changing. I don’t even know how to describe it; It changes everything."
"The house is beautiful. I’ve always had a life goal of owning a house, but in today’s market, it’s more of a goal; it’s hard to achieve."
The win marks a huge change for the Dungarvan man, who is currently renting and can now look forward to having a home of his own.
After travelling to Kenmare to meet Mark and his father Derek at the house, CEO of Blaa Giveaways, Paul Leonard said it’s a day that won't be forgotten.
“To give someone the keys of a house is incredibly surreal for all of us and certainly something we will always remember."
"The community we have is incredible," he continued, "the support and the interaction on all of our posts from everyone is fantastic and there's a real sense of good will about it, where everyone's genuinely happy for the person who happens to win, Mark in this instance, and that's a huge part of what we do."
