Yvonne Connolly has told how her accident in 2019 has changed her approach to life and made her realise who means the most to her.

Seven years ago, Yvonne suffered a broken jaw, fractured nose, and severely damaged eye socket, which nearly caused her to lose an eye, when a horse kicked her in the face.

The mum-of-three opened up about her experience as she spoke about pushing herself out of her comfort zone and playing a small role in an Irish film.

Yvonne stars in the Irish production of 500 Miles and plays Game of Thrones’ star Maisie Williams’ mother.

Joining Oliver Callan on his RTÉ show, Yvonne said it was her daughters’ idea to venture into the movie business when she was offered a chance to go for the part.

Taking a chance at something new, she remembers telling herself, ‘Oh, for goodness’ sake, why, why don’t I just try?’

‘And I, of course, didn’t even think I would get picked, but I thought I might have a bit of fun doing the audition tape. I would do this with the girls and be behind the camera. So it was a bit of a role reversal, which was fun,’ Yvonne said, referring to her daughter Missy Keating’s own acting career.

During the interview, Yvonne reflected on how the accident, even though it was over seven years ago, has changed her approach to everything.

Opening up to Oliver, she said, ‘For me, psychologically, the scars and my nose were over the other side of my face for a long time, and my eye, I nearly lost my eye… You know, children used to kind of stop and stare at me on the street, that kind of thing.’

Staying positive, she said: ‘After a few years, it settled, and I still have the scars, but sure, I’m a pro with the makeup… I tried not to dwell on it too much.’

A rule Yvonne has always stood by, and one she has taught her children, is that looks are not everything.

‘So suddenly when my looks were gone, I didn’t feel like I could sit there and dwell in sympathy and feel sorry for myself because, you know, at the end of the day, and especially when you get to a certain age, you realise that the people around you are around you because they love you,’ Yvonne said.

Praising her new hubby, she continued: ‘My partner John at the time, who’s now my husband, we had a really great relationship, and he’s an amazing, emotionally intelligent person too.’

Giving her a boost in confidence, Oliver was quick to tell her, ‘Your looks aren’t gone.’

500 Miles follows two brothers, who run away from home in England to reach their estranged grandfather on Ireland’s west coast.

The movie is directed by Morgan Mathews and written by Malcom Campbell.

Hitting cinemas in Ireland, we have a feeling this may not be the last time we see the beautiful Yvonne on screen.