Introduction
The Christmas Day Dinner is entirely run by volunteers. In addition to hosting the event itself on Christmas Day, the preparation of the hall for the guests, receiving produce and packing the festive gift bags, and the distribution of any excess produce after the event all require volunteers.

The list of tasks for which volunteers are required is extensive, and we require approximately 300 volunteers each year to run the event efficiently. In the past few years, much of the work is done in the days leading up to Christmas, and we welcome volunteers who may not be able to attend on
Christmas Day itself.

Preparation work in the RDS takes place between 10am and 1pm on December 23rd and 24th. The distribution of excess materials from the RDS takes place between 10am and 1pm on December 26th.

Work commences at 7am on Christmas morning and finishes at 3pm. Most of the tasks take 3 hours or less to complete, and the tasks start / finish at different times during the day.

The following is a (non-exhaustive) list of the tasks for which we require volunteers:

  • Setting up the main dining hall (tables, chairs, place settings, decorations)
  • Receiving meals and transporting to the RDS cold stores
  • Kitchen preparation
  • Receiving produce, setting up assembly area for gift bag packing
  • Packing 2,500 festive gift bags
  • Setting up the bar, coffee dock, cloakroom
  • Volunteer registration & issuance of aprons, gloves, sanitisers
  • Marshalls (guest escorts on buses, traffic management, hazard prevention
  • Guest welcome (escort to tables, provide tea/coffee)
  • Cloakroom attendants
  • Tea / Coffee dock (provide refreshments to guests and volunteers
  • Takeaway meals / produce bag dispatch for distribution partners
  • Meal delivery (drivers) to deliver meals & produce bags to designated drop-off locations
  • Drinks bar (pouring, manage stocks)
  • Drinks serving
  • Hygiene / PPE and waste / recycle management
  • Catering and kitchen (meal preparation & plating-up, washing-up)
  • Table serving (serving meals to guests)
  • Table hosts (socialising with guests, monitoring health & safety)
  • Entertainment (setting up stage, liaising with entertainers, assist MC)
  • Wrapping up (remove tables/chairs, collate surplus materials, tidy venue)
  • Distribution of surplus materials (on Dec 26th)

Registration for volunteering is through completion of the online registration form, which is made available on October 1st each year. Tasks are allocated at a mandatory health and safety induction session, held at the headquarters of the Knights of St. Columbanus in Ely House, Dublin, in early December.

Access to the RDS is controlled by a Volunteer Access Card (VAC), which will be issued to you at the Induction Session in December. The VAC provides details of the Task to be carried out, the date and time to arrive in the RDS and, most importantly, the time to leave the RDS after your task is completed.

Q. How do I register as a volunteer for the Christmas Day Dinner held at the RDS?
A. Registration for volunteers opens on October 1st every year. You must complete the online
Volunteer Registration form at http://ChristmasDayDinner.com to volunteer for the event.

Q. Can I register my details by sending an email to the email address used for last year’s
registration?
A. Sorry, no – email registration will not be processed. The online Volunteer Registration form is the
only way you may register as a prospective volunteer.

Q. I don’t have access to the internet – how can I register?
A. Registration by completing the online Volunteer Registration form is preferred as this allows us to
communicate more effectively with prospective volunteers – could you ask a friend to register your
interest, or use the facilities at a local library? Our fear is that you will not receive the correct
instructions needed for you to become a volunteer.

Q. Can I register through Ely House – The headquarters of the Order of the Knights of St.
Columbanus?
A. Sorry, no – all those who wish to volunteer must do so by completing the online Volunteer
Registration form – the reason for this is that we compile the volunteer register through this online
form, allowing the Christmas Day Dinner Committee to communicate with prospective volunteers
more effectively.

Q. Can I just turn up on Christmas Day?
A. No – please don’t! By that time all tasks and work areas will have been allocated and there will be
nothing for you to do.

Q. If I have registered – but cannot attend the Induction Health and Safety briefing, can I still
Volunteer?
A. Unfortunately, no. All tasks and Volunteer Access Cards are allocated only at the Health and Safety
briefing.

Q. If I have registered – and cannot attend the briefing, but I have attended one before, can I
still volunteer?
A. Sorry, the answer is No. The facilities change from year to year at the RDS and the health and
safety briefing is updated annually. We need to ensure that all volunteers are aware of the health and
safety risks and preventive measures in effect each year. In addition, all tasks are allocated to
volunteers at the briefing.

Q. Is there any public transport available on Christmas Day to travel to the RDS?
A. There is no public transport or taxi services available on Christmas Day. The Christmas Day Dinner
committee unfortunately does not have the resources to arrange lifts or transport for volunteers to and
from the RDS for Christmas Day.

Q. Are there any age restrictions?
A. Yes. Persons under the age of 18 are not encouraged and those under the age of 16 are not
permitted. The Christmas Day Dinner Committee and the venue operators are not responsible for
children of volunteers or for any person under the age of 16 years.

Q. Are there volunteering opportunities during the month of December, if you are unable to
volunteer for the Christmas Dates
A. Yes, we are always looking for your kind support throughout the month of December:

  • We require support distributing posters and flyers across Dublin City Centre – please email
    ccd.media@knightsofstcolumbanus.ie if you wish to support.
  • The full organisation and delivery of the Christmas Day Dinner relies on donations (please
    see How to Donate on our Donors FAQ page)