Ex-RTÉ star Claire Byrne has told how celebrating her milestone birthday gave her the ‘confidence’ to back herself to try new things.

The broadcaster turned 50 in August 2025 and shocked listeners when she announced her departure from RTÉ after 15 years to take up a new role in Newstalk radio.

Claire previously told how celebrating her 50th birthday made her realise she wanted a change, adding at the time: ‘I wanted to stretch my chops a bit’.

The mother-of-three told this month’s issue of Irish Country Magazine that she wanted to ‘own my experience.’

The Laois star said: ‘I got to around 50, and I thought: now I’m going to own my experience. Now I’m going to tell myself: be confident in what you’ve done and what you’ve achieved, and to realise that you can go and do a new thing, bring all of that experience with you.

‘Because you are valuable and you are knowledgeable and you have something to offer. As opposed to writing yourself off.

‘If people, when they get to the age of 50, feel a bit spent, a bit tired, I’d just urge them to look at maybe a pivot, or realise their value and go ‘you know what – there’s another act here’.

Claire said that she feels women have become ‘really valuable in the workplace’.

‘Life is long now, and I think that women, in particular, who have years of experience behind them are really valuable in the workplace. So go and show people what you can do.’

It comes after Claire previously told how us how her new job is ‘fun and exciting’.

Speaking to EVOKE at the VIP Style Awards, Claire said: ‘I mean, it is what it is. I mean, I’ve moved on, and I’ve got a new job, and it’s exciting and fun, and all the rest.’