Shoppers of laughter flocked to the Abbey Theatre as GCN’s roast returned, pairing savage comedy with community fundraising and a star-studded line-up , here’s what went down, who landed the wittiest blows, and why nights like this matter for Ireland’s LGBTQ+ media.

Essential Takeaways

  • Big crowd energy: The Abbey Theatre hosted a lively, packed audience who decided the winner by vote.
  • Starry roasters: Two teams of well-known LGBTQ+ figures and allies delivered razor-sharp jokes and playful digs.
  • Charity impact: Funds raised on the night support GCN’s not-for-profit mission as Ireland’s LGBTQ+ paper of record.
  • Supporters on board: The event had backing from Moxy Dublin City, Craft Cocktails and Mother, helping make the night slick and fun.
  • Fun, not mean: The tone stayed cheeky and communal , pearls clutched, but all in good spirits for a cause.

A night of savage laughs and warm-hearted mischief

The roast landed like a glittery champagne cork , loud, fizzy and impossible to ignore, with a few gasps and plenty of applause. Brendan Courtney hosted, guiding two teams through rounds of spicy one-liners, outrageous digs and improv moments that had the audience alternately howling and feigning offence with theatrical flair. According to event coverage, the mood was equal parts competitive and celebratory, and you could feel the goodwill beneath every barb.

GCN has built a tradition with this roast format, following last year’s record-breaking event, and the Abbey Theatre provided a theatrical backdrop that raised the stakes and the laughter. The combination of celebrity faces, drag glamour and sharp stand-up created an eclectic mix you don’t see every evening. If you like comedy nights with a community heartbeat, this was the template.

Who was on stage , and who hit the hardest

Team One featured Emma Doran, Miss Roots, David O’Reilly, Niamh Kavanagh and Louise McSharry; Team Two starred Andrea Horan, Miss Taken, Gearóid Farrelly, Muireann O’Connell and Shane Daniel Byrne. Each performer brought a distinct rhythm , drag queens delivered theatrical burns, podcasters and comedians landed precision zingers, and musicians and presenters chipped in with playful celebrity-level jabs.

Audience voting crowned Team Two the winner, which tells you as much about crowd taste as about the jokes themselves. Some roasts were cheeky and clever, others gloriously outrageous; what mattered was the communal payoff. If you’re planning a similar night, mix performance styles and sprinkle in surprise guests , it keeps the energy unpredictable and the laughs coming.

Why the fundraiser angle matters for GCN

GCN operates as a not-for-profit newsroom and has served Ireland’s LGBTQ+ community since 1988, so nights like this are more than entertainment , they’re essential income and profile-raising moments. With media landscapes tightening and rights debates ongoing, a free, independent voice that centres LGBTQ+ stories remains vital, and fundraising events help bridge the gap between mission and resources.

Organisers made clear that every ticket and donation feeds back into reporting, education and community work. If you care about sustaining diverse media, consider it a cultural investment , buy a ticket, donate online, or volunteer at the next event. Small acts add up.

The role of partners , how Moxy, Craft Cocktails and Mother helped

Events need practical muscle as much as talent, and the night’s partners pitched in on hospitality and production. Hotels like Moxy Dublin City offered logistical support and a hospitality base, while Craft Cocktails and Mother helped with drinks and promotion, smoothing the guest experience and giving the evening a polished, celebratory feel.

Partnering with brands and venues isn’t just about cash; it’s about amplifying reach and creating an atmosphere that matches the content on stage. If you’re organising a benefit show, pick partners whose audience overlaps with yours and who’ll commit to the vibe, from drinks to front-of-house.

What the roast says about queer community culture now

There’s a comforting sense that evenings like this are as much about solidarity as they are about satire. Roasts thrive on exaggeration and theatrical cruelty, but the Abbey Theatre night felt threaded with affection , even the sharpest lines landed as part of a communal joke. That balance matters: it keeps events inclusive and ensures they fund worthy causes without alienating the very people they aim to celebrate.

Looking forward, expect GCN to keep evolving the format and broadening its reach. For audiences, the takeaway is simple: go for the laughs, stay for the community.

It's a small change that can make every laugh and every donation count.

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