The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy said the answer 'to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything' is 42 – but is it really the best age?

Meghan Markle turns 42 today and the Daily Mail has claimed her new age has special properties — according to superfans of the cult novel series.

International popstars Coldplay have also platformed the powers of 42 – by naming one of their songs about life and death to the number.

Search engine Google HQ have both named office complexes '42' in San Francisco and Cern's Large Hadron Collider in Geneva.

Reporting for Moncrieff, Newtalk's Henry McKean said his best years were in his early twenties.

"I don't think anything has beaten 22, but saying that, everyone is different," he said.

Youth

Henry took to the streets of Dublin to ask poll locals about their best, and worst years in their lives.

"I'd say your early teens, late teens," said one man.

One woman said the best years of her life were in the 1970s in Dublin.

"Growing up when it was all doors open, people letting each other in, communities coming together," she said. "I would have been about eight, nine years-of-age – they were the best years of my life."

Prison

One man recalled being 21-years-old as the most precious time in his life, as he was released from prison after five years.

"Spike Island ... I was robbing cars – I needed a lift," he said.

Another man – who is facing a prison stint this year – said he reached full maturity when he turned 31.

"You're more mature, you're nine years into being a grown man," he said. "I've spent nine years in jail so far."

Family

One American tourist said at 42, she had a young family – but she felt her peak was at 50.

"You don't have the aches and pains of being older, and I still feel pretty young," she said.

An Australian man told Henry that 28 was his favourite year.

"You know a little bit and you're still a young whippersnapper and I think you pretty cool at 28," he said.

"I think the best is mid-20s ... I was out with my mates, drinking beers and working hard. It was a ripping time.

"Hardly any bills just had enough to put some petrol in the car and, and it was carefree."

'Enjoying life'

A recently retired 63-year-old American man said he is "enjoying life very well now".

"We had our kids early, and so we didn't get much chance to travel and now they're grown and doing quite well," he said.

His wife, who is due to retire next year, said she has enjoyed this period in her life.

"I'm happy with any age that I'm at, just what I'm doing," she said. "This has been a great age."

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