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: 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 Taoiseach since 2018.
Meanwhile, CMAT made headlines as she won the prestigious Ivor Novello Award for Best Album for her album 'Euro-Country'. The Irish popstar used the opportunity to urge artists to stop "sitting on the fence".
And a new survey has indicated a growing interest in the Irish language on both sides of the border.
Cathal O’Sullivan and Elaine Burke join The Last Word to...
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, can Leo Cullen’s side finally get over the line?
Liam Toland and Matt Williams join Matt on The Last Word to preview the game.
Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.
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 the latest movie news including reports that Michael Bay, the director behind 'Pearl Harbor', 'Armegeddon' and the Transformers movies, is set to direct a military drama based on the recent rescue of two US pilots in Iran.
Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
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. From cordless hair straighteners to satellite phones, Andy has you covered for all eventualities.
To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.
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 shows and more as well as her new novel 'The Hotel Guest'.
Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
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 considerations for leaving their jobs.
The study also found that women are disproportionately impacted by having to return to the office more frequently.
Tracy Keevans, Global Foreign Direct Investment Director at Morgan McKinley, speaks to The Last Word about the findings.
Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.
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 increased over the last five years.
He also discusses Sky's latest crackdown on so-called 'dodgy boxes' and runs through the details of a new savings account from PTSB.
Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
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 the Joe Biden administration.
Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone join The Last Word to discuss the 'anti-weaponisation' fund, which is expected to pay out money to Jan. 6 rioters, and more of the latest news from the United States.
Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
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.
This sentence marks the second time Moody has been jailed for abuse of a partner. In 2022, he was sentenced to three years and three months for coercive control of his former girlfriend, Nicola Hanney.
Frank Greaney, Today FM courts correspondent, joins The Last Word to discuss today's sentencing.
Hear the full conversation by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.
Legislation To Tackle Puppy Farms Brought To Cabinet
On Tuesday, Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon brought draft legislation to tackle puppy farms before Cabinet.
The legislation proposes various new measures including regulations around litter numbers, breeding age and standards of living conditions.
Minister Heydon speaks to Matt on The Last Word about this.
Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.
TV & Streaming: Will RTE Continue Eurovision Boycott Next Year?
The Eurovision song contest took place in Vienna last week, with Bulgaria winning Saturday’s final with the song “Bangaranga”.
But after Ireland and RTE’s boycott this year due to Israel’s participation in the competition, will they continue with the same stance in 2027?
Joe O’Shea and Elaine Burke join Matt on The Last Word.
Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the discussion.
CCPC Warns Over Pitfalls Of Car Hire Abroad
Following an survey of Irish holidaymakers' experiences of car hire abroad, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, it was found over 40% had issues with their car hires.
Long wait times, hidden fees and the car not being as described were some of the issues reported.
Orla Delargy, Deputy Communications Director at the CCPC, speaks to Matt about the survey and offers advice for those planning to hire cars abroad.
To listen to the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.
The Last Word On Travel: A Guide To Visiting The Greek Islands
Greece is home to more than 200 inhabited islands, many of which are very popular with Irish tourists.
Kaitlin Murphy from thetravelexpert.ie joins The Last Word to run through what some of the Greek islands have to offer and to give some travel tips for anyone looking to go island hopping.
Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
The Week Trending: Eurovision, Wordle, & The Mosquito That Killed Cromwell
It's Eurovision week but this year there is no Irish entry and viewers in Ireland will have to switch to the BBC if they want to watch the final in Austria.
In other TV news this week, Wordle, the popular online game, is getting a TV adaptation.
And, a statue to commemorate the mosquito that may have killed Oliver Cromwell has been proposed as a quirky new attraction for Cork city.
Paddy Duffy and Fionnuala Jones join The Last Word to discuss these and more of the week's trending stories.
Catch...
What Does The Future Hold For RTE?
Former government minister Shane Ross has written his latest book, looking back on the history of the national broadcaster.
He reflects on past controversies that threatened to impact its reputation and also looks forward to what the future might hold for the company.
He speaks to Matt on The Last Word.
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A Quarter Of World Cup Matches To Be Played In Temperatures Above 26 Degrees
World Weather Attribution has conducted a study which found that 25% of matches at this year’s FIFA World Cup are likely to be played in temperatures over 26 degrees Celsius.
Extreme heat conditions are most likely to be experienced in Miami, New York, New Jersey and New York.
Officials insist they have plans in place to accommodate players if the weather gets too hot, but is it fair to expect them to compete in such conditions?
Environmental commentator John Gibbons joins Matt on The Last Word.
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Tech Thursday: Screenless Tech Wearables
This week for Tech Thursday, Andy O'Donoghue joins The Last Word to discuss some of the latest screenless wearable tech amid increasing demand for screen free smart watches and health tracking devices.
Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
Culture Club: David Gray
Ahead of bringing his Past & Present Tour to Dublin's Fairview Park & the SSE Arena in Belfast, David Gray joins Daniel McConnell on for The Last Word's Culture Club.
Hit the 'Play' button on this page to hear his choices.
Bertie Ahern Backtracks On Immigration Comments
Bertie Ahern has said he has 'no problem' with people from Africa or the Congo as he rolls back on comments he made during a recent canvas in Dublin Central.
In a video circulating on social media, the former Taoiseach says, in a conversation on a doorstep, that he has concerns about the level of immigration and that Ireland "can't be taking in people" coming from "the Congo".
Louise Burne, political correspondent with the Irish Examiner, and Gary Murphy, professor of politics at the School of Law and Government in DCU, join The Last Word...
Seamas O'Reilly On His Debut Novel
Author Seamas O'Reilly talks to Matt about his debut novel, Prestige Drama. Set in Derry, it tells the story of a Hollywood star coming to town to research a role for a Troubles based TV show and what happens when she mysteriously disappears.
Seamas also discusses the literature of Northern Ireland and the role writers play in getting to a collective truth.
To listen to the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.
The Last Word On The US: Trump To Visit China As Iran War Rumbles On
US President Donald Trump will this week make a state visit to China with the Strait of Hormuz, tariffs and Taiwan all likely to be on the agenda during talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.
Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone join The Last Word to discuss Trump's visit to China and more of the latest news from the United States.
Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
VFI Warn Rising Costs Will Lead To Closure Of Rural Pubs
The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland has warned that rural pubs in Ireland are facing an “existential threat” due to rising costs, citing 2,500 closures since 2005.
The organisation is calling on the government to provide tax credits in order to protect smaller pubs around the country.
Pat Crotty, Chief Executive of the VFI, speaks to Matt on The Last Word.
Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.
The Last Word on TV & Streaming: The Bear to End with Season 5
Elaine Burke and Kate Henshaw join Matt to talk about the biggest tv news and releases of the week.
They chat about The Bear, Amandaland and more
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Just 3% Of People In Ireland Cycle Daily
New research by RedClick has found that just 3% of people in Ireland cycle every day and highlights the barriers that cyclists face on Irish roads.
Should more be done to make cycling in Ireland more accessible, or is there too much investment in cycling infrastructure considering the low numbers presented in the study?
Conor Faughnan, Motoring Expert at Carzone.ie and Ciaran Cannon, CEO of Cycling Ireland speak to Matt on The Last Word.
Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.
More Than 30 Council Bought Vacant Properties Lying Neglected
There are more than 30 council-owned properties currently lying in states of dereliction.
Joining Matt to discuss what can be done to bring these properties back in to use is Founder & Director of Anois, Jude Sherry and Sinn Fein Councillor and Member of the Dublin City Council Housing Committee Daithí Doolan
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The Last Word On Travel: Off The Beaten Track In Europe's Hotspots
Sarah Slattery from thetravelexpert.ie joins The Last Word to chat about some great lesser known destinations in Europe's hotspots.
Sarah's recommendations:
Asturias, Northern Spain
Puglia & Matera, Italy
Chania, Crete
Tavira, Portugal
Île de Ré, France
Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
The Week Trending: Hantavirus, Attenborough Turns 100 & Pre-flight Pints
Some of the stories dominating the news this week included the cruise ship hantavirus outbreak, the 100th birthday of legendary British environmentalist David Attenborough, and Michael O'Leary's latest call to ban airport pints.
Deirdre O’Shaughnessy, Irish Examiner editor and podcast host, and Jennifer Horgan, teacher and columnist, join The Last Word to discuss these and more of the week's trending stories.
Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
The Last Word On Movies: Should Stars Of Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey Have American Accents?
Brian Lloyd joins The Last Word to review the week's biggest movie releases, 'Mortal Kombat II' and 'The Sheep Detectives'.
He also discusses the latest trailer for Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' which has sparked debate over the use of American accents and contemporary language by the stars in the film.
Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
Environment: David Attenborough Turns 100
Broadcaster & natural historian David Attenborough will celebrate his 100th birthday this week, and on Thursday’s environment slot, John Gibbons paid tribute to his career.
Matt also talks to John about Dublin City Council’s decision to ban bin bags on a further 110 city-centre streets.
Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.
Tech Thursday: The Pivot From Fitness To Wellness Gadgets
Andy O'Donoghue runs through the latest wellness tech, that pivot away from fitness towards deep rest and relaxation.
From smart lamps, fitness rings, sleep masks and temperature regulators, Andy has you covered!
To catch, the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.
Culture Club: Jess Kav
Singer songwriter Jess Kav is the latest guest on The Culture Club.
She joins The Last Word to chat about her favourite music, movies, TV and more.
Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
Ireland Has The Highest Electricity Prices In Europe
Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor of The Irish Independent, outlines the latest Eurostat survey of electricity prices across Europe.
Charlie also explains the hidden insurance costs of adding a modular home to your property.
To listen to the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.
Michael O’Leary Urges Ban On Early Morning Airport Drinking As Bad Behaviour Rises
Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has said that a ban on serving alcohol in the early hours of the morning should be implemented in airports in order to reduce disruptive behaviour from passengers onboard flights.
Bars in Irish and UK airports do not have to follow the same opening hours restrictions that other outlets do.
Ali Dunworth, author of “A Compendium of Irish Pints: The Culture, Customs and Craic” speaks to Matt on The Last Word.
Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.
The Last Word On The US: US & Iran Risk Slipping Back Into All Out War
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has insisted that the ceasefire with Iran is not over despite renewed attacks by the Iranians.
Marion McKeone and Larry Donnelly join The Last Word to discuss this and more of the latest news from the US.
Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
Should Ireland Switch To Nuclear Power?
Earlier this week, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that Ireland should explore the idea of using nuclear power in order to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
Fianna Fáil TD James O'Connor has introduced a bill to reverse the ban and it is due to be debated in the Dáil in the coming months.
Dr. Paul Deane, senior lecturer in Clean Energy Futures at UCC and Senator Malcolm Noonan of the Green Party speak to Matt on The Last Word about this.
Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the pie
The Week Trending: Fewer Marriages, Tipping Culture & Bad Behaviour on Planes
This week on The Week Trending TodayFm News Reporter Emily Keegan and head of training at the Communications Clinic Lorcan Nyhan join Matt to discuss the news of the week.
They discuss a decline in marriages, Ireland's growing tipping culture and more
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Why Is The M50 So Congested And How Can It Be Fixed?
Over the next four weeks, researchers at the Trinity Centre for Transport Research are surveying the opinions of M50 users on how congestion on the motorway impacts their daily lives and what solutions they would like to see.
Professor Brian Caulfield, professor of transportation at Trinity College Dublin, joins The Last Word to discuss why the M50 has become so congested and some of the options that could help relieve the pressure.
The survey can be filled out here.
Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
What Next For Patrick Kielty And The Late Late Show?
As the latest series of The Late Late Show comes to an end, rumours of Patrick Kielty’s exit have swirled throughout the week.
If he did step aside, could RTE use it as a chance to freshen the show up, and who would be the best candidate to take over as host?
Brenda Power, columnist with the Irish Daily Mail and Elaine Burke, The Last Word's TV & Streaming contributor & host of the For Tech’s Sake podcast speak to Matt on The Last Word.
Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the...
The Last Word On Movies: The Devil Wears Prada 2
Cara O’Doherty joins Matt on The Last Word to review the much-anticipated The Devil Wears Prada 2, starring Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Stanley Tucci and Emily Blunt.
How does it compare to the first film, which was released 20 years ago?
Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear their chat.
Filmmaker David Gleeson On His Love Letter To Irish Cinemas
Filmmaker David Gleeson joins The Last Word to discuss his latest feature film 'Once Upon A Time In A Cinema' which is based on his own family's experience of running cinemas in rural Ireland.
Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
