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.

She later studied Politics, Sociology and Social Science at University College Dublin, but did not complete the course.

[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.