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.
The Week Trending: Ryder Cup Tickets, Online Learning & Far-Right Conspiracies
This week for The Week Trending, Matt is joined by Journalist Kate Henshaw and Managing Director at the Communications Clinic Eoghan McDermott to discuss the weeks biggest stories.
They discuss a potential return to school from home, Ryder Cup ticket prices and more
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Number Of US Troops Passing Through Shannon Airport Up By 80%
New figures obtained by The Irish Times has shown that the number of United States troops travelling through Shannon Airport increased by almost 80% before and during the US' attacks on Iran.
Conor Gallagher, Crime & Security Correspondent with the Irish Times, joins Matt to explain the significance of the situation.
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Ruth Medjber On Her 2026 Census
Photographer Ruth Medjber is well known for her music photography and her distinctive portraits, but in 2026 she has taken on a whole new challenge.
For 365 days, Ruth is travelling around Ireland, meeting new people, taking their photo and recording their story.
Ruth joins The Last Word to chat all about her project 'Sin Scéal Eile'
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The Last Word On Movies: Michael Jackson Biopic 'Michael'
The Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael' is out in cinemas this weekend.
The film, which is predicted to have the biggest opening weekend of any music biopic, follows the star's rise to fame with the Jackson 5 through to his hugely successful solo career but ends just before child abuse allegations against Jackson began to come to light.
Brian Lloyd joins The Last Word to review 'Michael' as well as the psychological drama 'Mother Mary' which stars Anne Hathaway and 'Exit 8', a Japanese horror film that takes a refreshing approach.
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The Last Word on the Environment: Climate Change Making Hayfever Worse
This week on The Last Word on the Environment, John Gibbons tells us how climate change is making your hayfever worse
They also discuss the government's environmental strategy and much more
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What Does The Future Look Like For Apple After Tim Cook Steps Down?
This week, Apple announced that Tim Cook would be stepping down as its CEO after nearly 15 years in the role, with head of hardware engineering, John Ternus, succeeding him in September.
What does the future hold for the company, and what are the biggest challenges facing Ternus when he takes over?
Andy O’Donoghue joins Matt on Thursday’s The Last Word.
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Culture Club: Gavan Reilly
Gavan Reilly, political correspondent with Virgin Media and presenter of Monday With Gavan Reilly, is the latest guest to join The Last Word for the Culture Club.
He chats to Matt all about his favourite music, movies, tv shows and more.
Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
Ryder Cup Tickets Priced At Almost €500 Per Day
Tickets for the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor will go on sale for Irish golf fans this Friday and on Wednesday, the the cost of attending the competition was revealed.
One ticket will cost a record-breaking €499 per day, which significantly higher than the €638 price when it was held in Rome in 2023.
Larry Donnelly, Lecturer in Law at the University of Galway and avid golfer, speaks to Matt on The Last Word about how ordinary punters are being priced out of attending major sporting events.
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Jan Carson Reimagines A Plan To Drain Lough Neagh In Latest Novel
In 1958, Northern Ireland Prime Minister Terence O'Neill had a plan to drain Lough Neagh. In her latest novel, Few And Far Between, Jan Carson has imaged what would have happen if the plan had been complete, and who might have sought refuge in there during the conflict years.
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The Last Word On The US: FBI Director Files Lawsuit Against The Atlantic
FBI Director Kash Patel has filed a defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic after the publication reported allegations of "excessive drinking and unexplained absences".
Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone join The Last Word to discuss this and Trump's latest comments about the war in Iran.
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How A Cheating Scandal Shocked The World Of Irish Dancing
In 2022, journalist Ellen Coyne revealed that teachers and judges involved in Irish dancing had been accused of “feis-fixing”, after information suggesting that competition results had been agreed ahead of time was leaked.
She has now released her book ‘Dirty Dancing: The Inside Story of the Irish Dancing Cheating Scandal”, in which she showcases the dark side of the sport and how it was impacted by the controversy.
She speaks to Matt on Tuesday’s The Last Word.
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The Rise Of The Trillion Dollar ‘Longevity’ Industry
Part II of “Young Forever: The Death of Ageing?” airs on RTE on Monday night, in which presenter Kathryn Thomas explores the lengths people are willing to go to in order to not only slow down the ageing process, but also prolong their life.
She joins Matt on The Last Word to tell him what she discovered.
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Daniel Kinahan Set To Appear Before Dubai Court
Conor Lally, Crime and Security Editor of the Irish Times, explains that as yet, it is not known the exact charges that Daniel Kinahan would face in Ireland.
He also discusses the potential timeline and garda operation that would be necessary if he is extradited.
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The Last Word On Travel: Destinations From Shannon Airport
Sarah Slattery from thetravelexpert.ie joins The Last Word to chat about some of the great destinations Irish holidaymakers can fly to from Shannon Airport.
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The Week Trending: Daniel Kinahan Arrest, FF Heave Falls Short & Hegseth Goes Tarantino
In a breaking news story, cartel boss Daniel Kinahan has been arrested in Dubai on foot of an arrest warrant issued by the Irish courts in relation to alleged serious organised crime offences.
Stephen Breen, crime editor with the Irish Sun, joins The Last Word to discuss this sensational development.
After that, Kieran Cunningham and Orla Ryan join to discuss the week's trending stories including a short-lived attempt to oust Taoiseach Micheál Martin as Fianna Fáil leader and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth channeling his inner Quentin Tarantino.
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Redevelopment Scheme For Run Down Properties In Urban Centres Extended
The Living City Initiative, which aims to encourage the redevelopment of rundown properties in Ireland, will now be applicable in Athlone, Drogheda, Dundalk, Letterkenny and Sligo from Friday.
The initiative offers tax relief for the conversion or refurbishment of buildings in areas that have high levels of dereliction and vacancy.
Will the scheme convince people to revamp their properties?
Jude Sherry, Founder & Director of Anois, and John McGahon, Chief Executive of the Dundalk Chamber of Commerce speak to Will O’Callaghan on The Last Word.
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Environment: Should The Carbon Tax Be Scrapped?
As people continue to be impacted by the price of fuel, there have been calls for the carbon tax to be scrapped. However, if that were to happen, how would that impact Ireland’s climate targets?
Commentator John Gibbons speaks to Will O’Callaghan on The Last Word.
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Irish Rail To Increase Security After Increase In Anti-Social Behaviour
Irish Rail will increase security on board its services after incidents of racial abuse, violence and drunken behaviour were reported by passengers last year.
Jane Cregan, Deputy Corporate Communications Manager at Irish Rail, joins Will O’Callaghan on The Last Word.
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Tech Thursday: The Latest In Smart Home Monitoring
Innovative home security devices are not just about monitoring for potential intruders, but can also send alerts of leaks or fire in the home.
From smart locks to subscription-free monitoring devices, Andy O'Donoghue runs through the very latest in home security.
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Culture Club: Megan Walsh
Singer Megan Walsh joins The Last Word for the Culture Club.
The former member of Celtic Woman has just brought out her first solo single 'Mo Chroí'. She chats to Will all about that as well as her favourite music, movies and more.
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Jack Crowley On Munster's Aims For The Rest Of The Season
On Wednesday’s The Last Word, Will O’Callaghan speaks to Munster and Ireland outhalf Jack Crowley.
Crowley is playing off the back of an impressive Six Nations campaign and is now looking to finish the season strongly with crucial games in the URC on Munster’s horizon.
He speaks to Will about continuing his form from the national team to Munster’s, his disappointment in the province’s exit from the Challenge Cup at the hands of Exeter and what it’s like to work alongside Johnny Sexton.
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Homeowners Turn To Renovations As Housing Shortage Makes Moving Unaffordable
New research by Core Research as part of the Credit Union Consumer Sentiment Survey has found that homeowners have resorted to carrying out home improvements rather than moving as a shortage of housing supply is making it too expensive to do so.
Charlie Weston speaks to Will O’Callaghan on The Last Word for Wednesday’s weekly personal finance slot.
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The Last Word On Music: Moya Brennan Remembered
On Tuesday, the death was announced of renowned singer, songwriter and harpist Moya Brennan. From Gaoth Dobhair in Co. Donegal, Brennan was a member of the multi-award-winning group Clannad alongside her siblings.
She also had a hugely successful solo career, which saw her win an Emmy Award in 2011 for her work on the “Music of Ireland: Welcome Home” documentary.
John Caddell and Dee Reddy join Daniel McConnell to pay tribute to her.
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The Last Word On The US: Trump Accused Of Sacrilege
Donald Trump has been accused of sacrilege after he posted an AI image depicting him as Jesus Christ on social media.
The US president is facing the wrath of some of his most loyal Christian supporters over the image as well as his recent attacks on Pope Leo.
Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone join The Last Word to discuss this and more of the latest news from the United States.
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How To Deal With Ongoing Anxiety
Author and podcaster Caroline Foran has written “Everything I Wish I’d Known About Anxiety: A Roadmap Back to Yourself”, in which she provides a step by step guide to combatting feelings of anxiousness after experiencing it firsthand.
She speaks to Daniel McConnell on The Last Word about how she practices those tips in her life.
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The Last Word on Sport: Is Arsenal's Premier League Campaign Collapsing?
Today on The Last Word on Sport Chief Football Writer at The Independent Miguel Delaney and Off The Ball's Will O'Callaghan join Daniel McConnell to discuss the biggest soccer stories from the weekend as Arsenal falter in their title race
They also look forward to Leeds versus Manchester United this evening
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Hungary Elections: Viktor Orbán Loses Power After 16 Years
In a historic election over the weekend Viktor Orbán has lost power in Hungary.
For the first time in 16 years Hungary will have a new leader.
Joining Daniel McConnell to discuss the election and what's next is Europe correspondent at Euronews Shona Murray
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The Last Word On Travel: Long Haul Destinations That Avoid The Middle East
With the ongoing unrest in the middle east, many holidaymakers considering a long haul trip are looking for alternative travel destinations.
Sarah Slattery from thetravelexpert.ie joins The Last Word to chat about some of the best long haul holiday destinations that don't require a stopover in the middle east.
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Separating the Art from the Artist: When Creators Become Morally Troubling
Hotpress Film Editor, Roe McDermott, talks to Matt about her lecture series at the IFI, where she explores the idea of morally troubling artists or filmmakers who've created beloved works of art, and how we may respond or react to that.
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Tech Thursday: Energy Saving Gadgets
Andy O'Donoghue joins The Last Word to chat about some of the best tech gadgets on the market to help manage home energy usage.
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Culture Club: Owen Roe
Actor Owen Roe is the latest inductee into The Last Word Culture Club. He talks to Matt about his latest role in RTÉ's series, The Hardacres.
He also talks about his cultural touchstones in music, literature, TV and film.
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Can Rory McIlroy Retain The Masters?
This weekend, Rory McIlroy will hope to become only the fourth man in history to successfully defend the green jacket.
Gavin Cooney, journalist with the 42.ie, joins The Last Word to look ahead to the 2026 Masters tournament.
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US & Iran Agree Ceasefire Deal - What's Next?
The US and Iran struck a deal late on Tuesday for a two-week ceasefire to allow negotiations to proceed and to see the Strait of Hormuz reopened.
However, Israel has continued to bombard Lebanon, one of Iran's key allies, raising concerns about how long this peace can last.
Fawaz Gerges, professor of international relations at the London School of Economics, journalist Marion McKeone, and Tom Wright, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, join The Last Word to discuss.
Hear the full discussion by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
The Rise Of Toxic Overconfidence
Professor Ian Robertson, Neuropsychologist and author of How Confidence Works, explains why we are experiencing a rise in displays of toxic overconfidence and what parts of society are being affected.
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U2 Release New EP “Easter Lily”
Last Friday, U2 released a 6-track EP “Easter Lily”. It follows the band’s previous EP “Days of Ash”, which came out in February and was deemed some of the most politically-charged records of their career. So, what can we expect this time round?
Meanwhile, Wireless Festival 2026 has been cancelled after Kanye West, who was due to headline all 3 nights, was banned from travelling to the UK due to previous antisemitic comments.
Dave Hanratty and John Caddell join Matt for The Last Word’s music slot.
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The Last Word On The US: Trump Says 'A Whole Civilization Will Die Tonight' If No Iran Deal
US President Donald Trump has threatened that "a whole civilization will die tonight" if Iran does not agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone join The Last Word to discuss Trump's chilling threats towards Iran and more of the latest news from the United States.
Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
How The Pandemic Changed Irish Drinking Habits
More people are drinking alcohol at home instead of going to the pub, according to new research from Drinkaware.
Dearbhla O’Brien, chief executive of Drinkaware, joins The Last Word to discuss how Irish drinking culture has changed since the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Is There A Quick Fix For Ireland’s Congestion Problems?
Congestion and commuting issues are becoming increasingly prominent across towns and cities in Ireland. What options are available to those who have to travel long distances on a regular basis?
Geraldine Herbert, Motoring Editor with the Sunday Independent, speaks to Matt on The Last Word about how we could reduce the number of private cars on the road every day.
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What Makes Rory McIlroy So Compelling For Sports Fans?
Last year, Rory McIlroy completed the career Grand Slam when he won The Masters at Augusta after a rollercoaster weekend.
But why are sports fans so drawn to McIlroy, and can winning the green jacket propel him to further greatness for the remainder of his career?
Journalist Alan Shipnuck has released a new book called "Rory: The Heartache and Triumph of Golf's Most Human Superstar", in which he talks about how the Co. Down man became golf's most intriguing player of his generation.
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Culture Club: David Kitt
Singer David Kitt joins Matt for this week’s Culture Club on The Last Word.
David is celebrating the release of “The Big Romance (Kittser’s Version)”, which is a new version of the original “The Big Romance” album, which came out 25 years ago.
The record features some new tracks along with reworkings of some of his classics.
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