The Last Word with Matt Cooper
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The Last Word with Matt Cooper
On Ireland's most cutting edge current affairs show, Matt and his guests provide a running stream of intelligent opinions and heated debates on the issues that matter most to Irish listeners. You might not always agree, but you'll never want to miss a Word.
Recent Episodes
3247 episodes
Culture Club: Mark Geary
Singer-Songwriter Mark Geary is the latest inductee into the Culture Club.
His latest six-tack EP, Antebellum, is out now. Mark runs through his...
Maggie O’Farrell On The Phenomenon Of ‘Hamnet’ And Her New Novel ‘Land’
Author Maggie O’Farrell, who wrote the best-selling novel ‘Hamnet’ has released her latest book ‘Land’.
She speaks to Matt on The Last Word abou...
Trial Of Man Charged With Attempted Murder Of Three Children Begins
The trial of 52-year-old Riad Bouchaker, who is charged with the attempted murder of three children and assault causing serious harm to a care worker...
Martin Sixsmith On The $50bn Lawsuit Against Putin
British journalist and author Martin Sixsmith talks to Matt about his latest book, Suing The Kremlin: The Battle For Putin's Billions.
The book...
The Last Word On The US: Trump Walks Out Of NBC Interview
US President Donald Trump walked out of an interview with NBC’s Meet The Press after a tense exchange with journalist Kristen Welker.
Welker pre...
Government Urged To Back Motions To Boycott Ireland vs Israel
Opposition parties have called on the government to back motions which call for Ireland vs Israel to be cancelled.
It was reported on Monday tha...
Author Kathryn Stockett On The Difficult Second Novel
Best-selling US author Kathryn Stockett joins Matt to discuss her new novel, The Calamity Club.
It's the second novel following the phenomenal...
The Last Word On Travel: Summer Short Break Deals At Home
From sauna and Pilates packages to golf trips, Sarah Slattery from thetravelexpert.ie has the latest in summer deals for a long weekend or mid-week b...
What’s The Mood Like In The US Ahead Of The FIFA World Cup?
It’s less than a week until the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off but the build up to this year’s tournament has been embroiled in off the pitch controver...
AI Needs A Brake Pedal Warns Anthropic Founder
Jack Clark, the founder of AI company Anthropic has said AI is nearing the point of developing itself without human input and that Government policies...
The Week Trending: The Healy-Rae Split, Gen Z Need Resilience, & Doom Spending
This week there was a very public falling out between Kerry's political sibling duo Michael and Danny Healy Rae after Michael went on radio to suggest...
Marie Gleeson’s Journey From A Tipperary Farm To Being Captain Of The LÉ Aoife
Former captain in the Irish Navy, Marie Gleeson, has released her memoir “Be Like the Sea”.
She speaks candidly to Matt about her experience wor...
Environment: EU Takes Ireland To Court Over Illegal Peat Extraction
The European Commission has taken Ireland to court for failing to stop illegal peat extraction.
The Commission said there was “significant” cutt...
Tech Thursday: What Is Chip-flation And What Does It Mean For The Cost Of Your Gadgets?
The price of memory chips is soaring as manufacturers struggle to keep up with the massive demand from Artificial Intelligence companies.
Andy O...
Culture Club: Martin Doyle
Author and Irish Times Books Editor, Martin Doyle, joins Matt to discuss his latest book.
A Hosting: Interviews With Irish Writers 1991-2026, d...
What Makes A Healthy Breakfast?
New research by the National Dairy Council has shown that half of Irish adults value a healthy breakfast, but that convenience and time constraints so...
Govt To Give €8,500 Scrappage Grant To Encourage Drivers To Go Electric
People with petrol and diesel cars that are more than 13 years old will be eligible for grants of €8,500 to purchase a new electric vehicle under new...
The Last Word On The US: Trump Battles To Save Ceasefire With Iran
There are signs of a strain in the relationship between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Israeli threats t...
Should Nightclubs Stay Open For Longer?
Three out of every four people who socialise in Dublin would like to see later nightclub opening times, according to new research undertaken on behalf...
The Week Trending: Pope's AI Warning, 'Bin Interference', & Luke Kelly Loses His Hair
This week, Pope Leo XIV used the first major teaching document of his papacy to warn about the threat of artificial intelligence.
Dublin City Co...
Should Ireland Have More Bank Holidays?
Ireland currently has 10 bank holidays in the calendar year which is two fewer than the EU average.
It’s a topic that has been up for debate in...
Environment: Planning Regulations For One-Off Housing To Be Eased
Rules surrounding plans for rural housing which aims to increase supply in Ireland are set to be eased at Cabinet next month.
Would this be a po...
Has Gambling Hijacked Sport?
Author and academic Darragh McGee has published his new book “Imitation Games: How Gambling Hijacked Sport”.
He examines how betting has become...
Tech Thursday: Get World Cup Ready
Andy O'Donoghue joins The Last Word to chat about how you can get your home setup ready for the World Cup.
He has recommendations for high quali...
Culture Club: Doireann Ní Gríofa
Writer Doireann Ní Gríofa joins The Last Word for the Culture Club.
Doireann chats to Matt about her favourite music, movies, TV and more as wel...
Calls For Restrictions On Advertising For Alcohol-Free Drinks
The government is set to oppose a Bill that calls for restrictions on ads for alcohol-free drinks.
Padraig Rice TD of the Social Democrats is se...
Opposition Vow To Strengthen Occupied Territories Bill
After years of delays, Cabinet agreed this week to bring forward the Occupied Territories Bill, which will prohibit the import of goods from Israeli s...
State Spent Almost €500m On Emergency Accommodation Last Year
Eoin O Broin, Sinn Féin TD and housing spokesperson and Seamus McGrath, Fianna Fáil TD and housing spokesperson discuss the costs of emergency accommo...
The Last Word On US: Iran War, Slush Fund & White House Ballroom Fuel Division In Republican Party
Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone join The Last Word to discuss the latest news from the United States including stalled negotiations to end the Iran war,...
What Now For Reality TV Following MAFS Allegations?
Former boss of Channel 4 Michael Grade has said the television industry faces a “watershed moment” after three participants of Married at First Sight...
The Last Word On Travel: Walking Holidays In Europe
Barry Taylor joins The Last Word to discuss some great walking holidays that aren't the Camino.
He has details on shorter routes in Ireland tha...
The Week Trending: Catholicism, CMAT, & The Irish Language
While on a visit to Italy this week, Taoiseach Micheál Martin met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, the first meeting between a pontiff and a Taoiseac...
The Last Word On Movies: Michael Bay To Direct Film About US Military Rescue In Iran
Brian Lloyd joins The Last Word to review the week's biggest movie releases, 'The Mandalorian and Grogu' and 'Finding Emily'.
He also discusses...
Champions Cup Final Preview
On Saturday, Leinster take on Bordeaux Begles in this year’s Champions Cup final.
After so much heartbreak in the competition in recent seasons,...
Latest In Travel & Adventure Tech
Andy O'Donoghue talks to Matt about the latest gadgets for all kinds of holidays, whether a weekend getaway or a long haul, backpacking adventure. Fro...
Culture Club: Rosemary Hennigan
Author Rosemary Hennigan is the latest guest to join The Last Word for the Culture Club!
She chats to Matt about her favourite music, movies, TV...
Will Changes To Work From Home Rules Convince Employees To Change Jobs?
A new survey conducted by Morgan McKinley has found that employers reversing rules regarding work from home arrangements has increased their considera...
Personal Finance: 25 Per Cent Rise In Everyday Costs Over Last 5 Years
This week on The Last Word, Charlie Weston, personal finance editor with the Irish Independent, looks at how much people's day-to-day costs have incre...
The Last Word On The US: DOJ Sets Up $1.8B Fund That Could Go To Jan 6 Rioters
The US Justice Department announced Monday that it was establishing a $1.776 billion fund to compensate Trump allies who claim they were targeted by t...
Ex-Garda Paul Moody Jailed For Four Years For Abuse Of Partner
Former garda Paul Moody who abused and terrorised his former partner and the mother of his child over a number of years has been jailed for four years...