The Last Word with Matt Cooper
Episodes
Tech Thursday: Best Travel Tech To Have This Summer
17 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From smart backpacks to portable steamers, Andy O’Donoghue joined Matt on Thursday to run through the best tech for you to bring on your travels thi...
Culture Club: Aoife Dunne
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Comedian Aoife Dunne is the latest inductee into The Last Word’s Culture Club.Aoife’s show, Good Grief, will be at the Ambassador on Saturday, Sep...
An Post CEO Denies The Company Is In Crisis
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Wednesday, the Irish Daily Mail reported that An Post faces a “dire financial situation” and that cash reserves in had dropped below €1m.Howe...
Five Irish Golfers To Take Part In The Open Championship
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Open Championship, one of golf's four major tournaments, kicks off in Portrush tomorrow with five Irish golfers in the field. Gavin Cooney, sports...
The Last Word On Business: Aircraft Could Be Included In EU Retaliatory Tariffs
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ian Guider, Business Columnist with the Business Post, spoke to Matt about the sale of Dalata Hotel Group and the potential for aircraft and whiskey t...
First Time TDs Reflect On Their First Six Months In The Dáil
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is Dáil Eireann serving the Irish public or is it too often a forum for performative antics? Are elected representatives serious about tackling the k...
The Last Word On The US: 'Disappointed' Trump Gives Putin 50-Day Ultimatum On Ukraine
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
US President Donald Trump has told Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine within 50 days or face severe tariffs.Cal Thomas and Mar...
Living With Endometriosis, A Disease As Common As Asthma But Can Take Ten Years To Diagnose
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Writer Lisa Tierney-Keogh spoke to Matt about her experience living with endometriosis and why it took 28 years to get a diagnosis.To catch the full c...
The Last Word On Travel: Europe's Best Value City Breaks
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Looking to head away for a few days and see somewhere new without breaking the bank?Kaitlin Murphy from thetravelexpert.ie joins The Last Word to chat...
Late Late Show Viewing Figures Drop By 47k
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
New figures have shown that RTE’s The Late Late Show lost approximately 47,000 viewers during Patrick Kielty’s second season as host.The programme...
The Week Trending: Sunbed Ban, Mushroom Murder & The Taoiseach's Flight Change
11 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ireland may ban sunbeds amid reports that they are being used by children as young as 10; Australian woman is convicted for murdering family with pois...
The Five Irish Jobs Most At Risk To AI
11 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A major new report suggests that Artificial intelligence (AI) is already starting to replace graduate jobs in Irish firms. Adrian Weckler, tech editor...
Supermarkets Accused Of Price Gouging As Food Prices Continue To Soar
11 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Supermarkets have denied accusations of price gouging, despite the price of meat increasing by 22% in the last year. The cost of a pound of butter has...
The Last Word On Business: Approval Granted For Greater Dublin Drainage Project
10 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A €1.3bn sewage and drainage scheme, which will service north Dublin and parts of Meath and Kildare, has been given the go ahead by An Comisiún Ple...
Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly Rules Himself Out Of Presidency Race - Who Is Still In The Mix?
10 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fine Gael MEP Seán Kelly is the latest to rule himself out of running in the forthcoming presidential election.Daniel McConnell, editor of the Busine...
Recent Heatwaves In Europe Up To 4C Hotter Due To Climate Change
10 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Climate change has been cited as the reason for recent European heatwaves being more extreme than seen previously.Western Europe had its warmest June ...
Tech Thursday: What is The Nothing Phone?
10 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This Tech Thursday Andy O'Donoghue joins The Last Word to discuss the Nothing phone, a new phone competitor looking to tap into a demand for minimalis...
Culture Club: Stuart Braithwaite
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Stuart Braithwaite, guitarist with Mogwai, joins The Last Word for the Culture Club. Listen to all of his cultural picks by pressing the 'play' button...
More Big Money Divorce Applications Despite Less Couples Deciding To Split
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There was a 42 per cent rise in divorce applications involving assets of more than €3 million last year, despite a fall in the overall number of cou...
People Are Dying Unnecessarily Because Of Delays In Cancer Treatment
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Averil Power, CEO Irish Cancer Society and Muireann McColgan, co-founder of Too Young To Be Heard group, discuss the latest Irish Cancer Society data ...
On Paper We’re One Of The Richest Nations In Europe, So Why Doesn’t It Feel That Way?
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A recent report from Unio Wealth Management found that Ireland is among the richest countries in Europe, ranking higher than Germany and France.The av...
The Last Word On The US: Benjamin Netanyahu Nominates Donald Trump For Nobel Peace Prize
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Monday, Donald Trump hosted Benjamin Netanyahu for dinner at the White House and the Israeli prime minister told the US President that he nominated...
Music Industry Contributes €1bn To Irish Economy, Report Finds
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A new report from Irish Music Rights Organisation has found that Irish adults spent €757 on music events in 2024, while two thirds of respondents sa...
What Should Be Done To Revamp The GPO?
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Government has been accused of "showing complete disdain" for the heritage of the GPO on Dublin's O'Connell Street amid calls for the building to ...
The Last Word On Travel: Chicago
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah Slattery from thetravelexpert.ie joins The Last Word to discuss all the best things to see and do when visiting Chicago in the US. Catch the ful...
Will Reducing Apartment Sizes Make Any Difference To The Housing Crisis?
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Cabinet is to consider reducing the size of studio apartments in order to encourage developers to build more of them.Is this the most effective wa...
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Finals Preview
04 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Croke Park will host a bumper weekend of senior hurling championship action as we reach the All-Ireland semi-final stage.On Saturday, Dublin wil...
The Week Trending: Crying At Work, Televising Electric Picnic & Dublin's 'Nee Naw' Service
04 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A tearful moment from UK chancellor Rachel Reeves in the House of Commons attracts criticism and solidarity, calls for Electric Picnic to be televised...
BirdWatch Ireland Identifies Critical Areas For Conserving Irish Seabirds
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
BirdWatch Ireland has released a map highlighting over 70 of the most vital areas for seabirds around the country.Under EU legislation, Ireland must d...
Tech Thursday: Tech To Keep Kids Entertained This Summer
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Do you want to encourage your kids to spend more time outdoors this summer? Or are you looking for ways to keep them learning over the break?Andy O'Do...
Money-Back Guarantees Lure Gamblers To Bet More, New Report Finds
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A new study from the Economic and Social Research Institute has found that offers like free bets and money-back guarantees from gambling companies con...
Netflix And Spotify To Team Up For Live Gigs
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Streaming giants Netflix and Spotify are in talks to team up and bring live concerts and award shows to audiences worldwide.Ian Guider, columnist with...
Culture Club: Ciara Geraghty
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Writer Ciara Geraghty is the latest inductee into the Culture Club. The author of ten novels for adults has now written her first children's book 'Wan...
DJ Carey Pleads Guilty To 10 Charges Of Deception
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Former Kilkenny hurler DJ Carey has pleaded guilty to ten charges of deception by falsely claiming he needed money for cancer treatment.Mr. Carey, who...
The Last Word On The US: Trump And Musk Feud Reignites Over 'Big, Beautiful Bill'
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The feud between billionaire Elon Musk and US President Donald Trump has reignited as the Tesla chief renews his criticism of Trump's tax and spending...
Conor McGregor Withdraws Application To Introduce New Evidence In Appeal
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Former MMA fighter Conor McGregor this morning withdrew his application to introduce new evidence as part of an appeal against the outcome of his civi...
Meath, Kerry, Donegal And Tyrone Advance To The All-Ireland Gaelic Football Semi-Finals
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The four All-Ireland senior football semi-finalists were confirmed at the weekend after another hugely entertaining weekend of championship action.On ...
Last Word On Travel: Dubrovnik
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Known as the Pearl of the Adriatic, Dubrovnik is an affordable choice for a European short trip.From the boat tours, day trips, sunset cocktails and w...
BBC Says It Regrets Not Cutting Live Stream Of Bob Vylan’s Glastonbury Set
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
UK police have launched a criminal investigation into comments made at Bob Vylan and Kneecap’s Glastonbury performances.This follows comments from t...
The Week Trending: The Rise Of Mamdani, The €48m Bezos Wedding & Will The BBC Show Kneecap At Glastonbury?
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
US Republicans and Democrats are sent in a spin as 'socialist' Zohran Mamdani wins the New York City Democratic mayoral primary, Jeff Bezos and Lauren...
Are Prize Bonds Still A Worthwhile Investment?
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sales of Prize Bonds topped €350 million in 2024 but this was a significant drop on previous years.Charlie Weston, personal finance editor with the...
The Best Wines To Try This Summer
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Wine expert Brigid O'Hora joins The Last Word to run through the best wines to enjoy this summer. She has picked a selection to suit all tastes includ...
Tech Thursday: The Best AI Assistants For Home, Office And Car
26 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From time trackers, smart home organisers to advanced driver assistants, Andy O'Donoghue outlined the best AI assistants to use for in the home, for w...
EU Votes To Ban Airline Fees For Carry-On Bags And Family Seats
26 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
European politicians are seeking to ban airlines from charging passengers for small carry-on luggage or charging for families to sit together on a fli...
Penneys To Cut 100 Jobs At Dublin HQ
26 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Primark, the parent company of Penneys, is planning to cut around 100 jobs at the its Dublin head office as the company moves to outsource some of its...
The Culture Club: R B Egan
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Author and former actor R B Egan was Matt's guest in the Culture Club, he spoke about the inspiration for his new crime novel, The Landlord.He also di...
'You're Left On The Sideline' - Natasha O'Brien Wants To Highlight Victims' Experiences Of The Justice System
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Natasha O'Brien came to prominence after soldier Cathal Crotty, who viciously attacked her in Limerick in 2022, received a three-year suspended senten...
Irish Woman Lifts Lid On Life Inside Opus Dei
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Anne Marie Allen, author of Serve: My Lost Years At The Heart Of Opus Dei, spoke to Matt about her life inside Opus Dei and how she left the organisat...
The Last Word On The US: 'Do Not Drop Those Bombs' Trump Tells Israel
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
US President Donald Trump has said he is "not happy" with Israel and Iran after claiming both countries violated a ceasefire.Marion McKeone and Cal Th...
Should Public Buildings Be Given Honorary Names?
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The new €2.4bn pediatric hospital will officially be named the National Children's Hospital of Ireland according to a Government proposal, despite e...
Armagh V Kerry Pick Of The All-Ireland SFC Quarter Final Draw
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The fixtures for the All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals have been confirmed, with the four teams which topped their groups - Armagh, Meath, Monaghan, and ...
Irish People Feel More Despair Than Hope Over Climate Change
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Worry, anxiety and frustration are the most common feelings people have towards climate change and climate policies, according to a new government rep...
The Last Word On Travel: Best Mid-Summer Deals
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Spain, Italy, Greece and further afield, Sarah Slattery, thetravelexpert.ie, had a run-down of the best deals of offer for last minute Summer holidays...
The Week Trending: Euromillions Speculation, Dodgy Box Crackdown & Kneecap's Big Week
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rumours swirl after Cork's lucky €250m Euromillions win, Sky to monitor WhatsApp chats in an attempt to catch dodgy-box users, & Kneecap's Mo Ch...
GAA Palestine Set For Irish Tour
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Claire Liddy, social care worker and co-founder of GAA Palestine explained the origins of the only GAA club in the West Bank and what the club means f...
Why Is Ireland So Expensive?
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
New figures released by Eurostat show that Ireland is now the second most expensive country in the EU for goods and services.Meanwhile, the prices of ...
Lord Henry Mount Charles Dies Aged 74
19 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Lord Henry Mount Charles, the man who introduced concerts at his iconic home of Slane Castle in Co. Meath, has died.His death was announced on Thursda...
Tech Thursday: Sky Issues Warning About ‘Consequences’ Of Using Dodgy Boxes
19 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sky Ireland has warned dodgy box users of “consequences” if they’re caught illegally streaming through their so-called dodgy boxes.Tech expert A...
Plans For Over 400 Beds 1km From UCD Opposed By Residents
19 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Planning permission has been sought for 439 purpose-built student bed spaces in Clonskeagh, Dublin 6.The site is just 1km from UCD’s main campus, bu...
Culture Club: Ian Leslie
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this week’s Culture Club, Will O’Callaghan was joined by Ian Leslie, author of the acclaimed book ‘John and Paul: A Love Story In Songs’.Hi...
Personal Finance: Irish Holiday Makers Getting Stung By Car Rental Companies
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Charlie Weston, personal finance editor with the Irish Independent had some tips on how to manage costs when hiring a car abroad.Charlie also explaine...
Smartphone Bans Have Little Or No Impact On Wellbeing: DCU Study
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A study from the Anti-Bullying Centre at DUC has found that banning smartphones in schools has little or no impact on education, the wellbeing of stud...
Kneecap’s Mo Chara Released On Unconditional Bail After UK Terror Case Adjourned
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kneecap rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who was charged with a terror offence in May by the Metropolitan Police, has been released on unconditional bail ...
The Last Word On The US: Trump Exits G7 Summit With A Warning For Iran
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
US President Donald Trump left a meeting of G7 leaders in Canada early after warning that "everyone should evacuate Tehran" as attacks between Israel ...
How Does The New Opt-Out Organ Donation System Work?
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
New legislation introducing an opt-out system of consent for organ donation in Ireland has come into effect. Priscilla Lynch, clinical editor with the...
Is The Club World Cup The Most Pointless Tournament In Football?
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Club World Cup kicked off over the weekend and on Sunday, Bayern Munich hammered Auckland City 10-0.After gruelling domestic seasons and ever-incr...
Dark Clouds On Economic Horizon Warns Tanaiste
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As the National Economic Dialogue took place in Dublin Castle, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe warned of ‘dark clouds’ on Ireland’s economic ho...
The Last Word On Travel: Tunisia
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sinéad Kennedy, travel expert and host of Wellness Activity Breaks, joins The Last Word to talk all about her recent visit to Tunisia and why she thi...
The Week Trending: The Freedom Flotilla, US Senator Tackled At A Press Conference & Changes To The Confirmation Pledge
13 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Greta Thunberg and other activists on a Gaza-bound boat are deported by Israel, a Democratic US Senator is arrested and handcuffed at an immigration b...
Ireland May Need To Generate Nuclear Power To Meet Demand: EirGrid
13 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the Last Word on Business, Ian Guider, columnist with the Business Post, explained why EriGrid's chairman in a statement said nuclear power generat...
The Last Word On The Environment: Your Questions Answered
13 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
To mark the 200th episode of The Last Word’s environment slot, Matt conducted a Q&A with John Gibbons with all the queries coming from you, the ...
How Irish Came To Be The First Language Spoken In Iceland
12 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Manchán Magan joins The Last Word to discuss the forgotten presence of Irish monks, migrants and storytellers in Iceland and how the two island natio...
Tech Thursday: More Of The Best Home Security Tech
12 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Andy O'Donoghue joins The Last Word to continue his review of the best home security equipment and this time he has tech for inside the home, includin...
Culture Club: Peter Hanly
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Writer and actor Peter Hanly spoke to Matt about his upcoming play What Are You Afraid Of? A well known actor of stage, TV and film for many years, th...
One In Ten Irish Households Are Worth More Than €1m
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
10 per cent of Irish households have a net wealth of more than €1 million while the bottom 10 per cent are worth less than €2,400, according to ne...
1 In 4 Irish Couples Spend Up To €50k On Their Wedding
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
According to research carried out by Raisin Bank, the average budget for a wedding in Ireland is between €10,000 and €20,000.It also found that 45...
The Last Word On Travel: Summer Holiday Essentials
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah Slattery from travelexpert.ie joins The Last Word to talk through her top tips and accessories in order to have a five-star travel experience th...
The Last Word On The US: Trumps Deploys Marines To L.A. As Riots Escalate
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
US President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of the Marine Corps to Los Angeles as protests over immigration raids continue across the city. M...
How To Make Irish Communities More Autism-Friendly
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
AsIAm and PTSB have launched the 2025 Autism Friendly Towns Initiative, which asks villages, towns and cities around Ireland to become genuinely inclu...
How Social Media Has Developed An Obsession With “Extreme Thinness”
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Last week, TikTok blocked users from searching the term “#skinnytok”, after critics suggested it directs people towards content that “idolises e...
Cork Crowned Munster Senior Hurling Champions After Dramatic Win Over Limerick
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Cork put a stop to Limerick’s bid for 7 Munster titles in a row on Saturday night when they beat John Kiely’s side after extra time and penalties....
Opposition Parties Criticise Proposed End To Rent Pressure Zones
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Conor Sheehan, Labour housing spokesperson and Pat Davitt, CEO, Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers debate the use of rent pressures zon...
Week Trending: Trump V Musk
06 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Week Trending: Trump V MuskLarry Donnelly, Law Lecturer at the University of Galway, and Sinead O’Carroll, Editor of thejournal.ie, discussed some o...
1 In 4 Empty Council Houses Boarded Up For Over 12 Months
06 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Freedom of information figures released to Sinn Féin TD Thomas Gould have found that 2,749 council homes are currently boarded up in Ireland.Matt spo...
The Search for Justice: The Robert Delaney Story
05 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Robert Delany. who was 27 when he was shot in 2008, suffered a catastrophic brain injury and has remained in a permanent life altering state ever sinc...
Tech Thursday: Home Security
05 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Andy O'Donoghue reviews the best in homes security from Ring Doorbells, outdoor security cameras, floodlights and smartlocks. To listen to the full co...
Campaigners Call For Sustainable Fishing Measures Off The Cork Coast
05 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There have been calls to ban industrial trawlers partaking in inshore fishing due to what’s been described by campaigners as “indiscriminate harve...
How Will Trump’s 50% Tariffs Impact The World Economy?
05 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
US President Donald Trump has increased steel and aluminium tariffs to 50%, which came into effect at 8am Irish time on Wednesday.How is this decision...
Culture Club: Amanda Coogan
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ahead of her performance at the Glucksman Gallery in Cork as part of the Cork Midsummer Festival, artist and sign language interpreter Amanda Coogan s...
Richard Satchwell Sentenced To Life In Prison For Murder Of His Wife Tina
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Richard Satchwell, who was found guilty of the murder of his wife Tina last Friday by unanimous verdict, was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday....
The Last Word On The US: Musk Denies Drug Use Following Report In New York Times
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Elon Musk has denied that he engaged in heavy ketamine consumption while working as one of Donald Trump’s advisers on the presidential campaign last...
How Famine Is Being Used As A Weapon Of War In Gaza
03 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Nakba, also known as 'Catastrophe', occurred between 1947 and 1949, and saw 15,000 Palestinians killed and more than 700,000 displaced from their ...
The Week Trending: An MEP's AI Letter, Bad Behaviour At Airports & Should Smoking Be Banned On Beaches
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
An Irish MEP used AI to write a letter about Gaza which quoted Swedish House Mafia. Why are we seeing more bad behaviour at airports? Should smoking b...
Richard Satchwell Found Guilty Of The Murder Of His Wife Tina
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On Friday, Richard Satchwell was found guilty of the murder of his wife Tina Satchwell in 2017.Ms. Satchwell’s skeletal remains were found in their ...
The Secret Life Of Leinster House - How Irish Politics Really Works
29 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Political journalist Gavan Reilly joins The Last Word to chat all about how Irish politics really works, as outlined in his new book 'The Secret Life ...
Irish Tech Company Brightflag Sold For Over €400m
29 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Irish company Brightflag, which uses artificial intelligence to help legal firms manage their finances, has been sold.Founded by Ian Nolan and Alex Ke...
Plans To ‘Write-Off’ Some Rivers As No-Go Areas Criticised
29 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Environmental groups have raised concerns about plans to lower the environmental standards of hundreds of rivers across Ireland.This would mean that o...
Culture Club: Andrew Meehan
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Writer Andrew Meehan, author of Best Friends, joins The Last Word for the Culture Club. Hear all about his favourite music, movies, tv shows and more ...
What Does The Pause On US Student Visas Mean For Irish Heading To The States?
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Trump administration has suspended new visa applications for foreign students to give US embassies around the world more time to vet applicants an...
The Last Word On The US: Trump Threatens Further Sanctions On Russia As Relationship With Putin Sours
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Donald Trump is considering imposing further sanctions on Russia as it continues its large scale attack on Ukraine.The US President's relationship wit...