From January 2015 until May 2022, she hosted her own self-titled weekly current affairs television programme, Claire Byrne Live.

She grew up on the family farm in County Laois, and was educated locally at the Brigidine Convent in Mountrath.

[5] Byrne is a client of self-styled "agent to the stars" Noel Kelly of NK Management.

[10] In a major shake up of news broadcasts on RTÉ in early 2013, Byrne joined the current affairs programme Prime Time as an anchor alongside Miriam O'Callaghan and Pat Kenny.

[11] In November 2014, it was announced that she would have her own current affairs show, Claire Byrne Live, which would be broadcast on RTÉ One from January 2015.

[19] In April 2023, Byrne began hosting Ireland's Smartest, a quiz show developed by RTÉ.

[23][24][25] In January 2015, she said in an interview that due to financial commitments she could not afford to be a stay at home mum for her children.