Jacqui Hurley celebrated her 40th birthday in style this year.
The RTE presenter was keen to mark the milestone birthday and believes getting older is a privilege.
Jacqui's brother Sean died in a car accident when he was just 25 years old nearly 12 years ago, so the sports broadcaster understands the importance of making the most of every day.
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Jacqui turned 40 back in January but marked the occasion with different celebrations throughout the year, kicking things off with an 80s-themed fancy dress party in Dublin's Copper Face Jacks.
She said: "My mum and dad came up for it, and my dad was in a shell tracksuit with a ghetto blaster.It was hilarious and we had great craic at it.
"Then I did a big trip to Portugal with the girls from home from Ballinhassig, where 13 of us rented a villa and had an absolute ball. Shane got me tickets to see Adele in Munich and I was in Boston recently with a couple of friends as well.
"I've just done loads of mini trips with different people to mark the birthday so I could probably never be accused of not living life to the full. And I've had a very patient husband at home, holding the shop while I was off doing all these things."
Jacqui, who shares children Luke and Lily with husband Shane, was devastated to lose her brother Sean, who she describes as the "beating heart" of her family, at a young age. This made turning 40 all the more emotional.
"I'm sure anybody who's ever turned 40 probably has feelings around this, but there's something in you that feels that it's a big milestone and you should mark it," she told Woman's Way.
"I'm feeling fit and healthy, and even if I have torn the arse out of it a little bit this year, which I admit, I definitely have, but it has been worth it, because I do think some years are meant to be marked.
"Like my brother, God rest him, never got to 40, and there are loads of people who never get to hit this milestone. Turning 40 is a privilege and I really have had the best year. It's been incredible."
Jacqui is one of RTE's best loved sports presenters, but at home to children Luke and Lily, she's just mum.
The TV star says she would love to "freeze time" because her kids are at an age where she and Shane are having great fun with them.
"Lily is the funniest person I've ever met in my entire life, and she's only seven. I want to be friends with the adult version of her, but right now, I'm having such craic with the seven-year-old. And she's always going, 'Come on, we're doing this' or wanting to play a game and do stuff as a family," Jacqui said.
"Luke is full of craic and joy as well. He is much quieter and more reserved than Lily, but he allows her to take the centre stage and really encourages her.
"He's an unbelievable wingman for her, and I always say to him that if he's as supportive of her in later years as he is now, she's going to be so lucky to have an older brother like him. He genuinely is one of the kindest, most caring little boys."
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