I would like to express my sincere thanks to all those who wished me well before heading to Dublin to appear on "The Big Money Game". Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas ó chroí a ghabháil libh go léir I was completely overwhelmed by the sheer goodwill and kindness shown to me and my family.

The response of locals to my winning 'an pota ór' or jackpot has been uplifting to say the least.

There are some great sayings in Irish which come to mind and sum it all up for me. One is: Is fearr an tsláinte ná táinte, which means health is better than wealth and the other is; Is fearr cairde ná ór –friends are more precious than gold. I never won anything in my life before, but buíochas le Dia (thanks be to God) I have always been lucky, had good health and better friends.

Thanks to everyone involved with Pobal Mhuileann an tSiáin and the Aidan McGrath branch of Conradh na Gaeilge in Sion Mills.

A special word of thanks to Marcas Ó Neill of Creative Signwork, Clady, for making the brilliant banners in Irish, when his mind and heart lay elsewhere. They were much appreciated.

Thanks for the cheers and the tears, not forgetting the prayers. Go raibh míle míle maith agaibh go leor arís agus arís eile.

Antaine Ó Fearghail,

Pobal Mhuileann an tSiáin