The Last Word with Matt Cooper
Episodes
Ireland's World Cup Dream Is Over After Defeat To Czechia
27 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The Week Trending: Ireland's World Cup Heartbreak; Chappell Roan Fan Controversy; Keoghan Hits Back At Trolls
27 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 signific...
The Last Word On Movies: Stephen Colbert To Adapt New Lord Of The Rings Movie
26 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
More Younger People Joining AA In Ireland
26 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
How The War In The Middle East Impacts The Environment
26 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Since March, bomb and missile strikes have released a mix of chemicals and other pollutants into the air in the Middle East, which experts have said c...
Tech Thursday: Sky To Take Legal Action Against End Users of 'Dodgy Boxes'
26 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Andy O'Donoghue explains the legal action being taken by Sky to crack down on the end users of dodgy boxes.He also has all the details of two historic...
Culture Club: John Gibbons
25 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
To mark five years of his weekly environment slot, John Gibbons joins The Last Word for the Culture Club.He chats to Matt about his favourite music, b...
Children's Hospital Deadline To Be Missed For 18th Time
25 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The latest completion date for the new national children's hospital will not be met, making it the 18th time that the deadline has been missed, the Oi...
Personal Finance: Have Fuel Prices Started To Fall After Tax Cuts?
25 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Temporary reductions on fuel taxes came into effect at midnight on Wednesday, with the price of diesel and petrol dropping by 20c and 15c per litre re...
The Last Word On The US: Trump Claims US Is Holding Talks With Iran To End War
25 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Donald Trump claimed that the USA is in talks with Iran to end the war in the Middle East. But are these claims to be believed?Cal Thomas a...
Rory Carroll On The Two Year Man Hunt For Roger Casement
24 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Rory Carroll, Ireland Correspondent for the Guardian, speaks to Matt about his book A Rebel And A Traitor: A Fugitive, the Manhunt and the Birth of th...
Full Irish, Hollier and As Sure Look Added To Oxford English Dictionary
24 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Colm O'Regan, comedian and author of Gallivanting With Words: How The Irish Speak English, discusses the latest Irish additions to the Oxford English ...
What Are The New Mortgage Switching Rules?
24 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
New rules for switching mortgages in Ireland were introduced on Tuesday which will see lenders having to clearly explain switching options and send re...
Author Interview: Mary Costello
23 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Novelist Mary Costello joins Matt to discuss her latest book, A Beautiful Loan. The book focuses on the life of Anna Hughes, a teacher in Dublin and t...
TV & Streaming: Michael Lyster Dies Aged 71
23 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On Sunday, the death of broadcaster Michael Lyster was announced.Lyster was a hugely popular figure and was best known for presenting The Sunday Game ...
The Last Word On Travel: A Guide To Visiting Prague
23 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Thousands of Irish soccer fans are expected to descend on the city of Prague this week ahead of Ireland's World Cup play-off clash with Czechia.Sarah ...
The Week Trending: Epstein Files Float, Pets On Public Transport, & Meath Home Demolition
20 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
There was outrage this week after a float referencing the Jeffery Epstein files featured in several St Patrick's Day parades. The NTA has asked the pu...
IRA Bombing Victims Drop Civil Action Against Gerry Adams
20 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Three victims of Provisional IRA bombings have dropped their civil action against former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams on the final day of the trial i...
Tech Thursday: Neobanks
20 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Andy O'Donoghue runs through the newest entrant to the online banking market, Monzo. He also talks about the pros and cons of Revolut and Zippay.To ca...
Liz Nugent On Her Latest Best Seller “The Truth About Ruby Cooper”
19 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Author Liz Nugent speaks to Matt on The Last Word to celebrate the release of her new book “The Truth About Ruby Cooper”, in which an incident inv...
Schools Urged To Prepare Now For SPHE Reform
19 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Psychotherapist and broadcaster Richie Sadlier has launched a new digital teaching programme to help schools deliver social personal health education ...
Calls For Cold Options In Hot School Meals Menu
19 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A national survey on the Hot School Meals Scheme found that 78% of respondents said their children did not enjoy the variety of meals on offer, while ...
Culture Club: Pat Kinevane
18 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Playwright and actor Pat Kinevane joins Matt for this week’s Culture Club on The Last Word.Pat has written and is touring five solo productions acro...
The Last Word On The US: Taoiseach Survives Paddy's Day Visit As Trump Slams Nato For Not Joining Iran War
18 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Columnist Cal Thomas and Larry Donnelly, lecturer in law at the University of Galway, join The Last Word to discuss the latest developments in Trump'...
The Last Word on TV & Streaming: Jessie Buckley Makes History At The Oscars
16 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week on The Last Word on TV & Streaming Matt is joined by Elaine Burke, Joe O'Shea and Kate Henshaw. They discuss Jessie Buckley's historic w...
The Story Of Ryanair
16 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A new documentary exploring the growth and success of Ryanair is set to air on RTE One on Monday night.The aviation company, now valued at an estimate...
The Last Word On Travel: Best Value Irish Breaks
16 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Can you find value for money on holidays in Ireland?Sarah Slattery from thetravelexpert.ie joins The Last Word to run through a selection of great val...
The Week Trending: White House Blasted Over 'Hype' Videos About Iran War
13 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The Trump administration has been blasted for releasing hype videos with clips from Hollywood films as part of its messaging about the war in Iran. Cr...
The Keanification Of Modern Ireland
12 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Journalist and Author Dave Hannigan has released his latest book “We Need To Talk About Roy - The Keanification of Modern Ireland”, in which he ex...
Should Rules Around One-Off Housing In Rural Ireland Be Relaxed?
12 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Minister for Housing James Browne announced that the government intends to loosen existing rules around one-off homes in rural Ireland for people faci...
The Reality Behind The 'Paradise' Presented By Dubai Influencers
12 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Human rights lawyer David Haigh joins The Last Word to discuss the harsh reality behind Dubai’s ‘paradise’ image amid the ongoing Iran conflict....
The Culture Club: Colm Mac Con Iomaire
11 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Musician and composer Colm Mac Con Iomaire, is the latest inductee into the Last Word Culture Club.He talks to Matt about being a founding member of T...
Spurs Keeper Hauled Off After 17 Minutes - How Much Worse Can Things Get For The Club?
11 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A nightmare performance in the Champions League for Tottenham Hotspurs against Atletico Madrid saw the team's goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky substituted af...
Could Skyrocketing Fuel Prices Spur On EV Sales?
11 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The latest figures for car sales in Ireland indicate that electric vehicles will outpace the combined sales of petrol and diesel cars this year and th...
Personal Finance: TV, Broadband and Phone Prices Set To Rise
11 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Your broadband, TV or phone bill could get steeper next month after Eir, Sky, Three and Vodafone all announced price increases from April.The cost cou...
The Last Word On US: Trump Says Iran War Is 'Short-Term Excursion'
10 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
President Donald Trump said on Monday that the war in Iran is a "short-term excursion" but his defence chief has warned that the United States' offens...
How To Help Your Kids Take Control Of Anxiety
10 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Clinical Psychologist and Adjunct Associate Professor at UCD, Dr David Coleman, talks to Matt about his new book, Fear Less. It's a 10-step guide to h...
Over 700k People Displaced Following Israeli Attacks In Lebanon
10 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Lebanon's president Joseph Aoun has called for talks with Israel to negotiate a plan to end the conflict with Hezbollah. The calls come as the death t...
2026 Six Nations Set To Go Down To The Wire After Scotland Beat France
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Scotland blew this year’s Six Nations Championship wide open when they beat strong favourites France 50-40 at Murrayfield.Elsewhere, Ireland secured...
Kinahan Kingpins Seen Enjoying Life In Dubai Despite US Bounty
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
John Mooney, Investigations Editor with the Sunday Times, talks to Matt about his forensic investigation with Bellingcat into Christy Snr and Daniel K...
Should The Taoiseach Take A Stand On Iran War During White House Meeting?
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
President Catherine Connolly's statement on violence in the Middle East is expected to increase pressure on Taoiseach Micheál Martin to take a stand ...
The Last Word On Travel: Destinations From Knock Airport
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah Slattery from thetravelexpert.ie joins The Last Word to chat about the great destinations Irish holidaymakers can fly to from Ireland West Airpo...
The Week Trending: Ryan Tubridy & Other Stars Send Best Wishes To Irish In UAE
06 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As Iran continues to fire drones and missiles across the Gulf region, Irish stars including Marty Morrissey, Ryan Tubridy and Caelan Doris offered the...
What Will The Government’s Remote Working Review Mean For Employees?
05 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A government review of legislation that gives employees the right to request working from home has been criticised by unions, who say there doesn’t ...
What Does The Conflict In The Middle East Tell Us About Our Dependency On Fossil Fuels?
05 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Earlier this week, Friends of the Earth warned that Irish households are still too dependent on the use of fossil fuels and therefore are likely to ex...
Tech Thursday: Meta Glasses Used To Spy On Wearers, Report Claims
05 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Meta contractors are being told to review highly sensitive and intimate footage of Meta glasses users who may not be aware they are recording, accordi...
Culture Club: Dearbhla Mescal
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Poet Dearbhla Mescal is the latest inductee into the Last Word Culture Club, where she tells Matt about her debut poetry collection, Finding Joy.Dearb...
How High Are Fuel Prices Likely To Go?
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Earlier this week, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin said there’s a “degree” of price gouging being done by fuel companies in the wake of US-Israeli ...
The Last Word On The US: What Is Trump's Plan For War In Iran?
03 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As US-Israel strikes on Iran continue, President Donald Trump's war aims remain unclear as his administration officials have given conflicting reasons...
Over 500k Journeys In Dublin Made By Walking Or Cycling, Report Finds
03 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The National Transport Authority's Walking and Cycling Index for 2025 has found that over 600k car journeys in Ireland's five largest cities are avoid...
GAA President Says Congress Protest "Crossed A Line”
02 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On Saturday, GAA Congress was temporarily adjourned after protestors made their way into the event in Croke Park.Protestors were marching against the ...
The Last Word On Travel: How Will The Latest Middle East War Impact Air Travel?
02 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The escalating conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran has caused widespread disruption to air travel.Eoghan Corry, travel journalist, and...
Irish Citizens React To Air Strikes Over Dubai
02 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The Irish Government is advising the 22,000 or more Irish citizens in the Gulf region to shelter in place.Matt talks to Catriona Lougran, communicatio...
The Week Trending: BAFTA Fallout, League Of Ireland Punishments, Thomas Gould's Jamaican Accent
27 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Lorcan Nyhan, Head of Training at the Communications Clinic and journalist Lise Hand join Matt on The Last Word for The Week Trending.Among the topics...
Should The OPW Be Able To Buy Flood-Risk Homes?
27 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Minister for Local Government James Browne suggested that the OPW should have the option to buy homes at risk of repeated flooding and demo...
Making The Move From Political Correspondent To Crime Novelist
26 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jennifer Bray, Political Editor Of The Sunday Times, talks to Matt about her debut novel, The Lies Between Us.Centering on the warring Brown sisters, ...
Tech Thursday: How To Create Your Own Home Cinema
26 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Are you a sports fanatic or a movie buff? Andy O'Donoghue joins The Last Word to run through some of the best tech available to create your own home c...
Culture Club: Andrew McCarthy
25 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Actor, writer, and director Andrew McCarthy is the latest inductee into The Last Word's Culture Club, with Bob Dylan, John Williams and The Brady Bunc...
Personal Finance: Irish Households Paying Twice As Much For Electricity As Data Centres
25 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Irish Households are paying twice as much for their electricity as data centres, according to a report by Eurostat.Charlie Weston, personal finance ed...
Judge To Decide Next Week On Contempt Of Court For Martina And Ammi Burke
25 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The High Court will rule next week whether the mother and sister of Enoch Burke were in contempt of court when they interrupted a case involving Enoch...
How The Murdoch Family Tore Itself Apart
25 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Gabriel Sherman, author of Bonfire Of The Murdochs, talks to Matt about the succession story behind the Murdoch media empire, the driving forces behin...
Additional €19m Allocated For SNAs For Next Academic Year But Future Remains Uncertain
24 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Government has allocated an additional €19 million for special needs assistants (SNAs) to ensure there are no cuts in the 2026/27 academic year foll...
The Last Word On The US: US DOJ Removed Some Epstein Files Related To Trump
24 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The US Justice Department buried some Epstein files which included allegations that President Donald Trump sexually abused a minor, according to an in...
Tuesday Marks Four Years Of Russia’s Invasion Of Ukraine
24 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Tuesday, February 24th 2026 makes it 4 years since Ukraine was invaded by Russian forces. In those four years, it’s estimated that over 15,000 civil...
After Another North London Derby Hammering, Are Spurs Genuine Relegation Contenders?
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Arsenal travelled to Tottenham on Sunday and got their Premier League title challenge back on track with a comprehensive 4-1 victory over their North ...
Holyhead Port To Trial Facial Recognition Technology
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Passengers travelling between Ireland and Wales this week will be scanned with facial recognition technology as part of a pilot scheme that’s being ...
BBC Withdraws BAFTAS From iPlayer After Racial Slur Is Broadcast During Show
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The BBC has removed its coverage of Sunday night’s BAFTA awards from iPlayer after a racial slur was broadcast on BBC One and remained uncorrected f...
More Than Half Of Workers Feel They Are Not Paid Fairly
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Over half of Irish workers feel that their pay does not fairly reflect the skills and effort that they bring to their role, according to a new survey ...
Week Trending: X Files, Austrian Climber Convicted & The Rise Of Humanoid Robots
20 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On the Week Trending, TV producer Paddy Duffy and journalist and podcast host Elaine Burke discuss the conviction of an Austrian climber for leaving h...
The Royal Family In Crisis - What's Next?
20 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Britain's royal family has been plunged into crisis following the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor on suspicion of misconduct while in office.Nick...
The Last Word On The Environment: New Initiative Seeks To Save Irish Hedgehogs
20 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A new initiative is looking for members of the public to sign up to become 'hedgehog helpers' in a bid to protect the much-loved animal.John Gibbons j...
Paul Cullen On His Memoir About Searching For His Missing Early Years
19 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Paul Cullen, former Irish Times Health Correspondent, talks to Matt about Outsider, his memoir that charts his recovery from injuries sustained in a f...
Andrew Mountbatten Windsor Arrested On Suspicion Of Misconduct In Public Office
19 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On Thursday morning, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.The arrest comes after Thames Valley Police s...
U2 Speak Out On Gaza, Ukraine & The Killing Of Renée Good In New EP
18 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
U2 have surprised fans by dropping a six-track EP, 'Days of Ash', which is their most political work in years with songs about the killing of Renée G...
Culture Club: Una McKevitt
18 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Playwright, author and director, Una McKevitt is the latest inductee into the Last Word Culture Club.Una's play, Fair Deal, is running at the Peacock ...
The Last Word On Music: Is Charli xcx's Wuthering Heights Album The Best Thing About The Film?
17 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Wuthering Heights, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, has been met with mixed reviews since its release last Friday. However, critics have laude...
The Last Word On The US: Civil Rights Leader Jesse Jackson Dies Aged 84
17 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
US civil rights leader Jesse Jackson has died aged 84. His death marks the last of the iconic civil rights leaders who were led by Martin Luther King ...
39,000 Shortfall in Student Beds Adding To Housing Crisis
17 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A report from Sherry Fitzgerald found a 39,000 deficit in the number of student beds available to rent Matt is joined by USI/AMLE VP for the Dublin Re...
Edel Coffey On How Writing Crime Fiction Is Her Source Of Escapism
16 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Author Edel Coffey has published her third novel ‘In Glass Houses’.She joins Matt on The Last Word to talk about why writing crime fiction appeals...
The Last Word On Travel: Holiday Ideas For Couples, Friends And Solo Travellers
16 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah Slattery from thetravelexpert.ie joins The Last Word to chat about some great deals and incredible trips for adults looking to get away.Sarah ha...
The Week Trending: Winter Olympics Controversy, €100 Culture Card & Dáil Bar Sales
13 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week on The Week Trending, Matt is joined by Eoghan Tomas McDermott Managing Director at the Communications Clinic and News Reporter with the Iri...
The Last Word on the Environment: Celebrating 5 years
13 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week on The Last Word on the Environment John Gibbons joins Matt to celebrate 5 years.They discuss the past five years and what's next Hit Play o...
Calls For FAI To Boycott Nations League Fixture Against Israel
13 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The FAI has said that it will fulfil its Nations League fixtures against Israel later this year despite previously calling on Uefa to ban the team las...
Man United Co-Owner Criticised After Saying UK has been "Colonised by Immigrants"
12 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Over the last day Manchester United Co-Owner Jim Ratcliffe has been heavily criticised for comments he made including saying the UK has been 'colonise...
Fall In Average Working Hours Driven By Fathers Taking More Time Off
12 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Are you working less hours per week since the pandemic? Average hours worked in Ireland fell by 6.5% between 2019 and 2024, according to a new labour ...
Tech Thursday: The Latest Keyboards And Peripherals
12 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Tech expert Andy O'Donoghue joins Matt on The Last Word to talk through all the latest keyboards and peripherals on the market to improve your home of...
Culture Club: Tom Dunne
11 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Tom Dunne, broadcaster and singer/songwriter with Something Happens, joins The Last Word for the Culture Club. Tom chats all about his favourite cultu...
What's Next for Irish In America In Trump's Immigration Crackdown?
11 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The Taoiseach said there are "five to six" cases of Irish people being held by Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the USThis includes Kilk...
The Last Word on Music: TodayFM's 100 Greatest Irish Songs Of All Time
11 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week on a special edition of The Last Word on Music, Dee Reddy and John Caddell join Danny McConnell to share their picks for the greatest Irish...
The Last Word On The US: Democrats Reject Latest White House Offer On ICE Reform
10 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Democrats are taking a hard line in negotiations over funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as they demand greater controls on immigra...
The Last Word on Travel: Family Holidays
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week on The Last Word on Travel, Sarah Slattery joins Frank Greaney to give us the best recommendations for family getaways From luxury to budget...
Sick Palestinian Children Arrive In Ireland For Treatment
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A group of Palestinian children have arrived in Ireland for treatment for various illnesses.The Irish Red Cross are helping to oversee the treatment o...
League Of Ireland 2026 Season Preview
06 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The new League of Ireland season kicks off this weekend and after Shamrock Rovers' domination last year, can anyone stop Stephen Bradley's side this t...
TikTok Is 'Addictive' And Must Change - EU
06 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
European regulators are seeking to ban TikTok's most addictive features such as infinite scroll, autoplay, and its “highly personalised” recommend...
The Week Trending: Ski Jumper enhancements, Catherine Connolly & Coldplay Kiss Cam Return
06 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week on The Week Trending Will O'Callaghan is joined by Cathal O'Sullivan and Emily Keegan to discuss the weeks biggest trending stories They dis...
How Money Laundering Is Taking Over The World
05 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
While it's constantly said that we are rapidly moving towards a cashless society, in the world of organised crime, cash remains the undisputed king. I...
Helmets And High-Vis Clothing To Be Mandatory For E-Bike And E-Scooter Users
05 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Following advice from the Road Safety Authority, the government announced that it intends to make wearing high-visibilty clothing and helmets mandator...
Tech Thursday: Getting The Best Sound From Your TV
05 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The Last Word's tech guru Andy O'Donoghue is back with the latest gadgets and sound-systems to optimise your streaming and listening experiences.To ca...
Culture Club: Dave Rudden
04 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Author Dave Rudden is the latest inductee into the Last Word Culture Club. His latest book, the fantasy adventure Sister Wake, is his first book for a...
When Should You Call A Doctor When You Have A Sick Child?
04 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Paediatric consultant Dr Niamh Lynch's joins The Last Word to chat about her new book 'Should I Be Worried?' - a go-to-guide for parents of young chi...