IRFU Charitable Trust 2026 Rugby Lunch – Kindly Sponsored by Aon
Rugby supporters, mark your calendars. Another unforgettable afternoon of rugby, camaraderie and community awaits at the InterContinental Hotel Dublin on Friday, 13th November 2026, as the IRFU Charitable Trust Rugby Lunch, kindly sponsored by Aon, returns once again.
This is always one of the standout dates in the rugby social calendar – a day packed with great company, top-class hospitality and unforgettable stories from the game we all love. Most importantly, it is a powerful show of support for the 36 seriously injured rugby players and their families across Ireland’s four provinces, who rely on the IRFU Charitable Trust for lifelong care.
Coinciding with the newly created Nations Championship – with Ireland facing Fiji at the Aviva Stadium – the lunch kicks off in style with a drinks reception sponsored by Guinness, followed by a superb three-course lunch with wine. Guests will once again enjoy an entertaining Q&A with special rugby guests (to be announced) following on from the outstanding Q&A with front row legends Linda Djougang and Cian Healy interviewed by Nigel Osborne, along with a Live Auction, very kindly hosted by Keith Lower of DNG last year, featuring unique and highly sought-after lots – building on the huge excitement generated by the headline auction item from Stellaer 212 at the 2025 Rugby Lunch.
Ireland will already have taken on Argentina the previous weekend, with the mouth-watering clash against South Africa to come the weekend after – ensuring the rugby conversation will be flowing all afternoon!
We would like to sincerely thank everyone who joined us in November 2025. Your generosity and compassion were movingly reflected in the words of one of our special guests, seriously injured player Niall McCool, who attended with his eldest daughter, Grace. Niall spoke powerfully about the difference the Trust has made to his family’s life:
“The Charitable Trust helped me immensely with the new house … more accessibility, such as ramps to the front and back doors, and a whole new front door to widen it for access. The team at the Charitable Trust don’t just do things – they care. They are interested in your life and we have been blessed to have that constant support.”
Support from the wider rugby family – guests, volunteers, prize donors, corporate supporters, the IRFU and the four provinces – is absolutely vital to ensuring the Trust can continue to provide this level of care for every injured player and their family. We are especially grateful to Aon, whose longstanding sponsorship makes this special event possible year after year.
It’s a team game and we would be very grateful if you could show your support by securing your table today, enjoying a fantastic rugby occasion and help change the lives of those who have been seriously injured playing the game we all love.
Contact Linda Black on 01 647 3866 or email charitabletrust@irfu.ie
Tables of ten are €1,800, with a special discounted rate for FRIENDS of the IRFU Charitable Trust – please ask Linda for details.
Join us, bring your friends or colleagues, and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the rugby community in supporting those who gave everything for the game.
Thank you for your continued support of seriously injured rugby players and their families.
