The Last Word with Matt Cooper

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. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.

John Caddell and Dee Reddy join The Last Word to discuss the latest music news and also to rank the best world cup anthems. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

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 la...

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, GA...

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!

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. He...

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...

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. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.

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.

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 Contributo...

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.

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’. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.

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....

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.

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. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the discussion...

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 C...

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...

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.

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.

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 Irel...

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'...

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.

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. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.

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!

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...