Claire Byrne was front and centre for one of the glitziest festive fundraisers of the year: the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 lunch.

The presenter stepped in to act as MC on the day and joined a host of well-known faces in raising vital funds for an incredible cause.

Claire was elegant in a timeless black velvet dress as she led the proceedings on the day, which was hosted at The Conrad Hotel.

Rachel Morrogh -Chief Executive of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, Nikita Hand and Charlene Masterson at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Rachel Morrogh -Chief Executive of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, Nikita Hand and Charlene Masterson at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch.
Pic: Brian McEvoy

She was joined at the lunch by survivors Nikita Hand and Rachel Masterson.

Also in attendance on the day were Lorraine Keane and Muireann O’Connell, who dressed to impress in an all-white look, Amanda Brunker and Mary Byrne.

Speaking on the day, Rachel Morrogh, Chief Executive of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, said: ‘We are extremely grateful to all the wonderful individuals and companies who have helped support this event.’

Muireann O'Connell at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Muireann O’Connell at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch.
Pic: Brian McEvoy

‘We were thrilled to be joined by the host Claire Byrne, and the incredible Newstalk team! The amazing Barry Murphy and Mary Byrne were absolutely brilliant and were so grateful for their support.

‘All funds raised go towards DRCC’s work supporting victims and survivors of sexual violence and raising awareness of its impact and prevention.’

Lorraine Keane at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Lorraine Keane at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy

‘Last year, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre’s National Helpline had almost 25,000 contacts. The organisation carried out over 7,200 counselling sessions and supported over 500 people at the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit.

‘Our services are under increased pressure in 2026, so the support from the Countdown to Christmas Lunch is needed more than ever.’

See more photos from the lunch below:

Amanda Brunker at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Amanda Brunker at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Sallyanne Clarke at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Sallyanne Clarke at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Mary Byrne at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Mary Byrne at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Melanie Sadlier at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Melanie Sadlier at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas lunch 19
Lisa Mahon, Dorothy van Belle and Gill Glynn at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas lunch 22
Rob Murphy at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch.Pic: Brian McEvoy
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas lunch 25
Rebecca Kelly at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch.Pic: Brian McEvoy
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas lunch 28
Sharon Crosbie and Tracy Finnegan at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch.Pic: Brian McEvoy
Cara Murphy and Roisin Jones at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Cara Murphy and Roisin Jones at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Aoife Finnegan at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Aoife Finnegan at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Simone Mundy Clowry at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Simone Mundy Clowry at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Nicola Rogers, Francesca Coppolla and Gemma Scott pictured at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Nicola Rogers, Francesca Coppolla and Gemma Scott pictured at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Beverley Coughlan at the Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch .Pic: Brian McEvoy
Beverley Coughlan at the Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch .Pic: Brian McEvoy
Lynn Wickham, Mandy Williams, Charlotte Maguire and Deirdre Garry at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Lynn Wickham, Mandy Williams, Charlotte Maguire and Deirdre Garry at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas lunch 48
Charlotte Bradshaw and Emma Coppolla at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Fran Nolan ,Niamh McGowan and Ger Quinn at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Fran Nolan ,Niamh McGowan and Ger Quinn at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Carmel Breheny at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Carmel Breheny at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Niamh Howlin and Olivia Power at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Niamh Howlin and Olivia Power at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Liz Cashin and Suzanne Cashin at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Liz Cashin and Suzanne Cashin at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Rhona Teehan, Zoe Freyne, Gillian Ronan and Rosie Campbell at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Rhona Teehan, Zoe Freyne, Gillian Ronan and Rosie Campbell at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Triona McGearty and Tracy Cripps at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Triona McGearty and Tracy Cripps at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Leslie Healy and Louise Stanley at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Leslie Healy and Louise Stanley at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Aisling Walsh at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Aisling Walsh at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Aisling Leonard, Suzanne Cashin, Rowena Kenny and Elise Mullins at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Aisling Leonard, Suzanne Cashin, Rowena Kenny and Elise Mullins at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Francesca Coppolla Emma Dzinodo, Jack Halpin and Giya Batacan at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Francesca Coppolla Emma Dzinodo, Jack Halpin and Giya Batacan at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Lucy Gaffney, Alison Cowzer, Deborah Threadgold, Annemarie James and Liz O Donnell at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Lucy Gaffney, Alison Cowzer, Deborah Threadgold, Annemarie James and Liz O Donnell at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Mary Byrne, Rob Murphy, Keith Kelly, Pauline Looney, Liam Dwyer and Rebecca Kelly at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Mary Byrne, Rob Murphy, Keith Kelly, Pauline Looney, Liam Dwyer and Rebecca Kelly at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Countdown to Christmas 2026 fundraising lunch. Pic: Brian McEvoy