Waking Ned is a 1998 British-Irish comedy film directed by Kirk Jones. The plot revolves around a small village in Ireland, where one of the residents, Ned Devine, has won the national lottery. However, when his friends go to visit him, they find him dead, having died of shock from the news of his win. The remaining residents of the village then hatch a plan to claim the money themselves, as they believe it is what Ned would have wanted.
Under the guise of Ned's family members, the villagers attempt to claim the winnings, but their scheme is complicated by the arrival of a representative from the lottery company, who suspects foul play. The villagers must then continue to deceive the representative in order to keep their secret safe.
Throughout the film, the eccentricities and idiosyncrasies of the villagers are explored, and their relationships with one another are revealed. In addition, there are a number of comical situations and misunderstandings that add to the overall humor of the film.
Waking Ned received critical acclaim upon its release, with praise being directed towards the performances of the cast and the film's charming and witty script. The film grossed over $50 million internationally and was nominated for several awards, including a BAFTA for Best Original Screenplay.