The Last Word with Matt Cooper

Matt sits down with sexual assault survivor Bláthnaid Raleigh to discuss her new book 'Aftermath'. In it she tells the story of her five year long wait for justice after she was raped by by Jonathan Moran at a house party in Mullingar in 2019. They also discuss how she feels the justice system added to her stress. Hit Play on this page yo listen now

There are "questions to be answered" within Fianna Fáil after the party's candidate Jim Gavin pulled out of the presidential race on Sunday, according to Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher. Kelleher, who himself made a bid for the Fianna Fáil presidential nomination, joins The Last Word to discuss Gavin's withdrawal and what's next for the party and it's leader, Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Catch the ful...

MAGA has slammed the Pope as being "woke" after he blessed a block of ice; Met Éireann has said it ensured that none of this year's storms would share a name with the presidential candidates; and tributes pour in for writer and documentary maker Manchán Magan who has died aged 55. Fionnuala Jones and Joe O’Shea join The Last Word to discuss the week's trending stories. Catch the full chat by press...

Chief Executive at the Restaurants Association of Ireland Adrian Cummins and Social Policy Officer at the Irish Congress of Trade Unions Laura Bambrick join Will O'Callaghan to discuss what chnagess could be made for the hospitality sector in Budget 2026 A VAT reduction and more is on the table. Hit Play on this page to listen now

Ecologist Anja Murray has charted Ireland's constantly changing natural world in her new book 'Frog Routes, Polka Dot Newts and Other Treasures of Irish Nature'. She joins The Last Word to discuss the birds, animals and plants that people should look out for in October. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Professor in Transportation at Trinity College Dublin Brian Caulfield and economist Colm McCarthy join Will O'Callaghan to discuss what happens now the Metrolink now it has been granted planning permission. They also discuss whether the Metrolink is the most effective project Hit Play on this page to listen now

John Gibbons joins Will O'Callaghan to discuss the weeks biggest environmental stories . This week they discuss the death of legendary conservationist Jane Goodall, the impact rising sea levels will have on coastal housing and more. Hit Play on this page to listen now

Ireland has one of the incidences of high blood pressure while also having some of the lowest rates of diagnosis Will O'Callaghan is joined by Consultant Cardiologist at the Mater Private Network Dr Paul Hill to discuss choices you can make to improve your blood pressure Hit Play on this page to listen now

Why would Éamon de Valera - rebel, revolutionary and Ireland's third president - be cancelled if he was around today?  In the third episode of Think You Know...The Presidents, Lise Hand and Flor MacCarthy get to grips with some of the more questionable actions of the man referred to as the 'long fellow', and why did he seem to love dressing up so much?  This and more - including our very...

Novelist Sophie White joins The Last Word for the Culture Club. Sophie's latest book 'Such A Good Couple' is out now and she chats all about it, as well as her favourite music, movies, TV and more. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Business editor of the Sunday Times Brian Carey chats to Matt about the biggest business stories of the day. Today they discuss the news that Conor McGregor's stout firm is being sued by suppliers over alleged unpaid debts, David Beckham's latest business figures and why Aer Lingus is not enthusiastic about the proposed lifting of the Dublin Airport passenger cap. Hit Play on this page to listen n...

Matt sits down with Dr Harry Barry to discuss his most personal book yet; Beneath the Surface They discuss Dr Barry's own struggles, his time spent in Tanzania and more. Hit Play on this page to listen now.

Matt is joined by Sinn Fein TD and Cathaoirleach of the Public Accounts Committee John Brady and Business Post Editor Danny McConnell to discuss the latest Comptroller and Auditor General report. Their report for 2024 shows that public money has been wasted across a range of areas including unused hotel rooms for Guards staffing events and vacant office buildings leased by the Office for Public Wo...

The latest Safefood food basket research has found that low-income families are spending up to 33% of their weekly income to afford a healthy diet. Costs for a household with a teenager in it are more than 20% higher than those with children of primary school age. Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor with the Irish Independent, spoke to Matt on Wednesday. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to h...

Multiple All-Ireland winner with Kerry and one of The Last Word’s GAA analysts, Marc Ó’Sé, has released his autobiography ‘Ó’Sé: A Kerry Family, A Football Dynasty. He spoke to Matt about being part of one of the most famous families in the GAA which saw him play alongside his brothers Darragh and Tomás, and under the management of his uncle, Páidí. He also discussed how Gaelic football evolved fr...

Matt is joined by Writer and Director Jim Sheridan to discuss his new film: ‘Recreation: The Trial of Ian Bailey’, which examines the murder trial that never happened. Hit Play on this page to listen now

Matt is joined by Marion McKeone and Cal Thomas to discuss the latest news from the US. This week they discuss Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu's agreement on a peace plan for Gaza, Trump's latest plans to deploy the National Guard and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth's new proposed rules for army personnel. Hit Play on this page to listen now

Baker and entrepreneur Una Leonard is well-known for her delicious cakes and treats, but she has also just released her second cook book 'Good Together'. She joins Matt to discuss how her mother's cancer battle inspired her new book and why she decided to relocate her bakery, 2210 Patisserie, to Mullingar. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Seán T. O’Kelly brought political  savvy and international flair as head of a newly-fledged nation trying to figure out its place  in the world. It was during O’Kelly’s terms in office that the Áras became the party-spot for high-flying night-owls. xBut behind the scenes, his two terms were not without their  controversies. How did this diplomat manage to massively annoy both t...

Matt is joined by legendary Irish athlete Sonia O'Sullivan to discuss her extensive career in Athletics and punditry and the importance of looking after your health in sport. Hit Play on this page to listen now.

Former Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill has released his new book 'The Changing Game: The Past, Present and Future of Football". He joined Matt on Monday to talk about how football has evolved over time, how elite-level management in 2025 differs to that of previous years and how, if circumstances were different, he could have managed Leeds United. Hit the 'Play' button on this page to h...

Joe O'Shea and Elaine Burke join Matt to discuss the biggest TV and Streaming moments of the week. This week they discuss Netflix's House of Guinness, Big Brother being absent from Irish TV screens, the latest Strictly Come Dancing news and more. Hit Play on this page to listen now

Europe have won their first away Ryder Cup since 2012 in Bethpage New York, with Ireland's Shane Lowry making the crucial putt to retain the trophy. However the weekend saw the European players face heckling and personal abuse from the American crowd, including Rory McIlroy's wife having a drink thrown at her. Matt is joined by Gavin Cooney from the42.ie and Political Columnist and Law Lecturer La...

As conservative campaigner Maria Steen marked the end of her presidential bid on Wednesday, many were quick to spot the €20,000 designer bag on her arm. Elsewhere, British Prime Minister Kier Starmer has revealed plans for a controversial UK digital identity card and US President Donald Trump has claimed he was 'sabotaged' while at the United Nations General Assembly. Orla Ryan, Irish Times journa...

Uefa's executive committee is expected to meet next week to decide whether to suspend Israel from its competitions over its almost two-year assault on Gaza. Miguel Delaney, chief football writer with the Independent, joins The Last Word to discuss the impact that a such a ban would have on world football and next year's World Cup. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!