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: 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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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 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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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.
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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.
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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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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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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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A New Book Tells The Story Of Sean Lemass In His Own Words
Journalist Ronan McGreevy joins The Last Word to discuss his new book 'Seán Lemass: The Lost Memoir', a biography that is largely based on 22 hours of recorded interviews with the former Taoiseach.
The memoir looks at Lemass' early life, including the shooting of his infant brother and his role in the War of Independence, as well as his time in politics from 1923 to 1966.
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What Does The Iran War Mean For Air Travel?
Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary has warned that there will be disruptions to the supply of jet fuel by early May if the Iran war continues.
Paul Hackett, vice-president of Irish Travel Agents Association, and Shona Murray, Europe correspondent with Euro News, join The Last Word to discuss the impact OF the war on air travel, measures the EU may employ to deal with the worsening fuel crisis, and Donald Trump's latest threat to withdraw the US from Nato.
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How To Reduce The Impact The Middle East Conflict Has On Your Finances
A Credit Union Consumer Sentiment Survey has shown that many consumers are bracing themselves for their finances to take a hit as the war in the Middle East continues to impact the economy.
So, what options are available to us to ensure we’re getting the best value for money?
Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor with the Irish Independent, speaks to Matt on The Last Word.
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Djamel White On His Thrilling Debut Novel Set In Dublin's Gangland
'All Them Dogs' by Djamel White is one of the most eagerly anticipated Irish debut novels of 2026.
It follows a young man who returns to west Dublin and a life of gangland crime following a period abroad. He finds himself working closely with an enforcer for a local crime boss and it soon becomes apparent that there is mutual attraction between the pair.
Djamel joins The Last Word to discuss his debut novel and his journey to publication.
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The Last Word On The US: White House Says Iranian Leaders Are Dead Because They Strung Trump Along
Amid the ongoing war in Iran, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has said that high-ranking Iranian officials were killed because they “strung” President Donald Trump’s administration along in efforts to end the conflict.
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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Unions Warn War In Middle East Could Lead To Another Cost Of Living Crisis
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has said that the government needs to take action to combat the impact of inflation on workers and the unemployed in Ireland.
The Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) showed that prices rose by 3.6% in March of this year, an increase from 2.5% in February.
General Secretary of ICTU, Owen Reidy, speaks to Matt about his concerns on The Last Word.
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Donegal Crowned National Football League 2026 Champions
On Sunday, Donegal were 3-20 to 2-10 winners over Kerry to win the National Football League for only the second time in their history.
Have Jim McGuinness’ side laid down a marker for the rest of the season, and how much can we read into Kerry’s performance given how many of their players from last year’s All-Ireland final didn't feature?
Ray Silke and Will O’Callaghan also speak to Matt about whether Michael Murphy should have been sent off after his strike on Kerry’s Dylan Casey, and whether the hooter should be removed be...
TV & Streaming: Peak Audience Of 1.6m People Tuned Into Czechia v Ireland
Ireland’s World Cup play-off semi-final vs Czechia attracted an average of 1.37 viewers last Thursday night, with peak numbers hitting 1.6m just as the penalty shootout came to an end.
Elsewhere, the new trailer for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was watched 277 million times within the first 48 hours of release, which is more than double of HBO's previous record held by Euphoria. But is a Harry Potter TV series really needed?
Joe O’Shea and Elaine Burke join Matt for The Last Word on TV & Streaming.
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Shorter School Days Under Review As TDs Call For More 'Holistic' Education Model
Shorter school days and more breaks for students have been recommended by the Oireachtas education committee, which recently looked at how Ireland could make the shift to a more holistic education model, similar to Finland.
Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe, chair of the Oireachtas education committee, joins The Last Word to discuss what's in the Finnish model and how it could be incorporated into the Irish education system.
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Last Word On Travel: Latest Travel Deals Including Sorento, Marrakesh, And Mediterranean Cruises
Sarah Slattery, thetravelexpert.ie, has all the last minute getaway deals for April, with trips including Sorento, Marrakesh and Mediterranean cruises.
To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.
Ireland's World Cup Dream Is Over After Defeat To Czechia
On Thursday night, Ireland's hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup ended after they lost to Czechia on penalties in the playoff semi-final at the Fortuna Arena in Prague.
Heimir Hallgrimsson's side went 2-0 up early in the game but they will have regrets about how they allowed the Czechs back into the contest.
Gavin Cooney of The42.ie and former Ireland international Tony Cascarino speak to Matt about the result.
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The Week Trending: Ireland's World Cup Heartbreak; Chappell Roan Fan Controversy; Keoghan Hits Back At Trolls
Heartbreak for the Boys in Green after loss to Czechia in penalties brings Ireland's world cup dreams to an end. Pop star Chappell Roan faces significant online backlash following accusations that a security guard berated a young fan. And Barry Keoghan opens up about the impact of online abuse targeting his appearance.
Dion Fanning, host of The Free State podcast, and broadcaster Fionnuala Jones join The Last Word to discuss the week's trending stories.
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The Last Word On Movies: Stephen Colbert To Adapt New Lord Of The Rings Movie
Stephen Colbert will sign off as host of The Late Show in the United States later this year but it appears he won't have much down time as he is set to adapt the next movie in The Lord of the Rings franchise.
Brian Lloyd joins The Last Word to chat about this news and also to review the latest movie releases including Project Hail Mary starring Ryan Gosling.
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More Younger People Joining AA In Ireland
Younger people in Ireland are joining Alcoholics Anonymous. Ahead of an event in Galway, Matt talks to Melanie and John, two members of Ireland Young People in AA, about their journeys to recovery from alcoholism.
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