Collette and Mick Smith from Kells join Brian Ormond and model Pippa O’Connor to admire the New York skyline aboard the 'Star of America’ yacht on the Hudson.

Local couple’s bite of the Big Apple

Ann Casey

Published: Wed 20 Oct 2010, 4:49 PM

A Kells couple were among 76 lucky National Lottery winners and their guests from all over Ireland who jetted off to New York City recently for a six-day luxury break. Collette Smith from Rockfield was one of 38 lucky 'Big Money Game’ winners from all over Ireland and she and her husband, Mick, travelled to the Big Apple with €2,500 spending money, as part of their prize. Collette won the prize on the National Lottery’s Big Money Game gameshow during the summer months. Brian Ormond, who hosted the gameshow for two weeks, accompanied the winners on their fun-filled trip of a lifetime. It was Collette and Mick's first time in New York and had been a life-long dream for Mick to visit the city. While in New York, they visited a number of sites, including the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty and Staten Island. They also enjoyed the Tony award-winning theatrical phenomenon 'Billy Elliot’ at the Imperial Theatre, which was included as part of the prize. Collette said she was bringing an empty suitcase with her so she could do as much shopping as she wanted. 2FM’s Will Leahy Show broadcast live from New York while the group were over there.