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: Brand It Like Beckham, Shrinking Chocolate, & McGregor On Fallon
This week, Cadbury confirmed that its chocolate bars are in fact getting smaller but the company denies that it is trying to fool customers.
As the World Cup gets in full swing, many viewers have remarked on the number of ads starring ex-footballer turned professional brand ambassador David Beckham.
And, Jimmy Fallon has sparked outrage from Irish fans over his interview with Conor McGregor.
Elaine Burke and Lorcan Nyhan join The Last Word to discuss the week’s trending stories.
Catch the full chat by pressing the ‘Play’ button on this page!<
Will Andy Burnham Become The Next British Prime Minister After Byelection Success?
On Friday, Andy Burnham was elected as MP in the Makerfield byelection and, in doing so, has further increased the pressure on Keir Starmer’s position as Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party.
So, are Starmer’s days in Downing Street numbered, and how will Nigel Farage react to such a heavy defeat for Reform?
Nick Ferrari, presenter of Nick Ferrari at Breakfast on LBC Radio in London, speaks to Matt on The Last Word.
Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.
The Inside Story Of How Samantha Cookes Conned Her Way Through Ireland & The UK
Fraudster Samantha Cookes spent more than a decade conning people in both Ireland and Britain.
A new book looks at how Cookes integrated herself into the lives of vulnerable families and posed as a nanny, a therapist and an author under various identities.
Alan Bradley, author of ‘Unmasking Samantha Cookes: The Many Lives of a Serial Fraudster’, joins Daniel McConnell on The Last Word.
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Patrick Freyne On Writing His Debut Novel At 51
Patrick Freyne joins The Last Word to discuss his debut novel 'Experts in a Dying Field'.
He chats to Matt about writing from his own life, pursuing a music career, and the magic of foxes.
Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
EPA Says Water Quality In Ireland Has Not Improved In The Last Year
New data from the Environmental Protection Agency has shown that there were no major improvements in Ireland’s water quality in 2025.
The EPA has said that the condition of Ireland’s rivers have “dropped significantly” in recent years and that high nutrient levels are the biggest challenge to raising standards.
Sadhbh O’Neill, Climate and Environmental Researcher and Irish Times Contributor, speaks to Matt on The Last Word's environment slot.
Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.
'It's Been Hell', Widow Of Hit And Run Victim On Life After Tragedy
In 2024, hurling coach Niall MacEneaney was knocked down and killed by a drunk driver.
That driver was Michael Ball, who at the time was a serving garda. He was recently sentenced to six years after pleading guilty to dangerous driving causing death.
Niall's wife Grace Martin talks to Matt about Niall's life and the impact of his loss on her.
Culture Club: Iarla Ó Lionáird
Iarla Ó Lionáird is the latest inductee into the Culture Club. He talks to Danny McConnell about his life in music and the upcoming performance at this year's Galway International Arts Festival.
Iarla also discusses the music, film, movies, and books that have influences his life.
Personal Finance: Will Fuel Prices Fall If The Strait Of Hormuz Reopens?
Since the conflict between the US and Iran began, consumers here in Ireland have experienced a spike in fuel prices.
But if the Strait of Hormuz is to reopen, could drivers see the price at the pumps drop?
Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor with the Irish Independent, speaks to Daniel McConnell on The Last Word.
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The Last Word On Music: Best World Cup Anthems
John Caddell and Dee Reddy join The Last Word to discuss the latest music news and also to rank the best world cup anthems.
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The Last Word On The US: US-Iran Reach Deal But What Exactly Did Trump Gain In This War?
News this week that the US and Iran have reached a memorandum of understanding to end the conflict that has caused massive global disruption will be welcomed by many.
But the reported details of the deal indicate that for US President Donald Trump, the consequences of this war may have greatly outweighed any gains.
Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone 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!
Kerry To Face Armagh, Dublin To Host Donegal In All-Ireland Series
The draw for Round 3 of the All-Ireland Gaelic football championship has been made with some blockbuster ties to be played across the 20th and 21st of June.
Kerry face Armagh in Killarney on Saturday, while Donegal head to Croke Park on Sunday to play Dublin.
Meanwhile, Mayo host Meath on Saturday evening in MacHale Park before the round wraps up in Clones with Monaghan vs Westmeath.
Colm Keys, GAA Correspondent with the Irish Independent and Off The Ball’s Will O’Callaghan join Matt on The Last Word.
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The Last Word On Travel: Miami
Sarah Slattery from thetravelexpert.ie joins The Last Word to chat about some of the best things to do and see in Miami, Florida including the stunning beaches, distinctive art and architecture and wonderful Hispanic culture.
Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
Riad Bouchaker Was "Hellbent" On Attacking Children, Witness Tells Trial
Today FM reporter Emily Keegan joins The Last Word to outline what was heard on the fourth day of the trial of Riad Bouchaker who is accused of the attempted murder of three children on Dublin's Parnell Square in November 2023.
Bouchaker has pleaded not guilty to eight charges including assaulting two other children, a passerby and a crèche worker. He also denies being in possession of a knife.
Hear the full report by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.
Novelist Elizabeth Strout On The Secrets Of Ordinary People
Following on from her Oliva Kittridge and Lucy Barton novels, Pulitzer Prize winning author Elizabeth Strout has turned her attention to a new cast of characters.
The Things We Never Say introduces the unassuming Artie Dam, a school teacher in Massachusetts, who harbours a deep secret.
Elizabeth talks to Matt about the inspiration behind the novel and how her own background influences what she is compelled to write about.
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Who Will Win The FIFA World Cup 2026?
The FIFA World Cup kicks off on Thursday with co-hosts Mexico facing South Africa.
There’ll be a staggering 104 matches across the tournament, with a record 48 teams involved.
Miguel Delaney, Chief Football Writer with The Independent and Dion Fanning, co-host of the Free State podcast, preview the competition on The Last Word.
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Tech Thurs: Personal Entertainment For Long Haul Trips
Andy O'Donoghue runs through the best e-readers, tablets, speakers and more to help keep you entertained on a long flight or road trip.
To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.
Thousands Of Homes At Risk From Coastal Erosion, Report Says
A new report published by the Climate Change Advisory Council has found that 4,500 homes and 570km of road in Ireland are at risk of being lost due to coastal erosion.
The report has recommended mandatory “natural hazard disclosures” for homebuyers so that they’re aware of the risks involved when purchasing a property.
Sadhbh O’Neill, Climate and Environmental Researcher and Irish Times Contributor, joins Matt for Thursday’s environment slot on The Last Word.
Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.
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 musical influences, as well as his favourite TV shows, music, books and more.
To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.
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 about the excitement of her novel being adapted to the big screen, her pride in her Irish roots and the focus on identity running through ‘Land’.
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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 in November 2023 began on Wednesday.
The court heard from the mother of one of the children, who said her daughter suffered severe injuries and is now non-verbal and in a wheelchair.
Frank Greaney, Today FM Courts Correspondent, joins The Last Word.
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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 details how Oligarchs, once seen as allies of Russian regimes, have been turned on and end up in prison, in exile, or are killed.
To listen to the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.
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 pressed Trump on his claims that the 2020 presidential election was rigged, with the President then accusing her of being “crooked”.
Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone join Matt for The Last Word on The US.
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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 that the game could be moved out of the Aviva Stadium and into a neutral venue, however the FAI said the board is still meeting to “discuss the operational aspects” of the fixture.
Duncan Smith TD, Labour spokesperson for foreign affairs, and Senator Alison Comyn of Fianna Fáil speak to The Last Word.
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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 success of The Help which sold 15million copies worldwide and was turned into a film staring Emma Stone. However, the success quickly turned to controversy after criticism that a white author was detailing black American experiences.
Kathryn Stockett talks to Matt about writing through the sometimes paralysing criticism and why it took many years to bring the story in her latest novel to life.
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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 break in Ireland.
To listen to the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.
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 need to keep control of AI.
To discuss this, Matt is joined by Adrian Weckler, tech editor, Irish and Sunday Independent and Puneet Kukreja, Head of Cyber, EY Ireland.
To listen to the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.
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 controversies.
Conflict between the US and Iran, soaring ticket prices and environmental issues have dominated the discourse in recent weeks.
Dave Hannigan, journalist based in the US and author of ‘We Need To Talk About Roy: The Keaneification of Modern Ireland’ joins Matt on The Last Word to describe what the mood is like across the pond.
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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 that his brother cost him his junior ministry.
Michelle Obama told young people who don't like their jobs that they need to develop greater 'resilience'.
And what is doom spending?
Edel Coffey and Dion Fanning join The Last Word to discuss the week's trending stories.
Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
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 working in the military, how the skills from her professional life transfer to her personal life, and the heartbreak of losing her son at just six days old.
Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.
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” cutting happening with no planning permission or assessments of the environmental impact of doing so.
John Gibbons speaks to Matt on The Last Word.
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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'Donoghue joins The Last Word to discuss the impact of the rising cost of these chips which are essential for everyday tech products like laptops, phones and even electric cars.
Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
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 sometimes impact their choices.
What food types should we aim to eat in the morning to ensure we feel sustained and energised?
Sarah Keogh, Registered Dietician and Founder of Eatwell.ie joins Matt on The Last Word.
Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.
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, delves into Martin's journalistic archive to present a compilation of interviews with some of Ireland's best loved writers.
He also discusses his favourite books, films, music, movies and more.
To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.
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 a State scrappage scheme.
A significant portion of the €10 million scheme would be ringfenced for those living in rural Ireland.
Geraldine Herbert, motoring editor for the Sunday Independent, and Ciaran Ahern, Labour TD and climate spokesperson, join The Last Word to discuss the merits of the scrappage incentive.
Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
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 to resume bombing in Lebanon which have put US ceasefire talks with Iran at risk.
Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone join The Last Word to discuss this and more of the latest news from the United States.
Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
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 of the Licensed Vintners Association (LVA).
Donall O’Keeffe, chief executive of the LVA, and Hazel Chu, Green Party deputy leader and Dublin City councillor, join The Last Word to discuss whether nightclubs in the capital should stay open later and what this would mean for Dublin's night-time economy.
Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
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 Council said 'bin interference' by people looking for bottles and cans has cost it €500,000 and is leading to more rubbish on city streets.
And, a popular statue of Dublin folk legend Luke Kelly is undergoing extensive repair after visitors repeatedly broke off strands of its distinctive copper hair to take as souvenirs.
Dave Hanratty and Lise Hand join The Last Word to discuss the week's trending stories.
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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 recent years, with Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman previously calling for more to be added.
Richard Boyd Barrett, People Before Profit TD and Damien McCarthy, Managing Director at HR Buddy speak to Matt on The Last Word.
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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 positive move for rural areas, and what would the environmental impact of such a move be?
Commentator John Gibbons speaks to Matt on The Last Word.
Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the discussion.
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 more prominent in the experience of watching live sport and how young people – particularly young men – are being targeted through relentless marketing campaigns and ads.
He speaks to Matt on The Last Word.
Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.
