The Last Word with Matt Cooper

BirdWatch Ireland has released a map highlighting over 70 of the most vital areas for seabirds around the country. Under EU legislation, Ireland must designate areas to protect the lifecycle of birds. Environment commentator John Gibbons spoke to Matt on Thursday’s The Last Word. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

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 the Business Post, joins The Last Word to discuss this and more of the latest business news. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

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 'Wanda Broom' and she joins The Last Word to chat through her favourite music, books, movies and more. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

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 won 5 All-Irelands with his county, was due to stand trial today on 21 fraud and forgery charges. Today FM’s Courts Correspondent, Frank Greaney, joined Matt to explain what happened in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court today. Hit the ‘Play’ button on...

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 bill. Musk claims that the legislation, known as "The Big Beautiful Bill", would undermine the work he did to cut government spending while in charge of Doge. Marion McKeone and Cal Thomas join The Last Word to discuss the clash between the former a...

Former MMA fighter Conor McGregor this morning withdrew his application to introduce new evidence as part of an appeal against the outcome of his civil rape trial. Last year, Nikita Hand won a lawsuit against the Mr. McGregor, whom she accused of raping her in a Dublin hotel in December 2018. Frank Greaney, Today FM's Courts Correspondent, joined Matt on The Last Word. Hit the 'Play' button on thi...

The four All-Ireland senior football semi-finalists were confirmed at the weekend after another hugely entertaining weekend of championship action. On Saturday, an impressive second half performance saw Donegal overcome Monaghan and 2021 champions Tyrone beat Dublin, leading to Dessie Farrell's resignation as Dublin manager. On Sunday, Meath put an end to Galway’s All-Ireland hopes while Kerry dum...

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 walking the city’s famous walls, Travelexpert.ie Sarah Slattery ran through the best of what the Croatian city has to offer. To catch the full conversation, press the ‘play’ button on this page.

UK police have launched a criminal investigation into comments made at Bob Vylan and Kneecap’s Glastonbury performances. This follows comments from the BBC stating that it regretted not cutting the stream of Bob Vylan’s performance, saying its “antisemitic sentiments” were “utterly unacceptable”. Joe O’Shea and Elaine Burke spoke to Matt on Monday. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the co...

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 Sánchez take over Venice for star-studded wedding, and Glastonbury organisers say Kneecap will play, but will the BBC air the performance? Marion McKeone and Joe O'Shea join The Last Word to discuss the week's trending stories. Catch the full chat b...

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 Irish Independent, joins The Last Word to discuss whether Prize Bonds are still an attractive and worthwhile investment? Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

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 including a crisp and refreshing vinho verde, a delicate rosé, and even a beautiful red for those die-hard red wine drinkers. Find a list of Brigid's choices below and catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page! Aimery Cremant de Limoux...

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 work and for motoring. To listen to the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

European politicians are seeking to ban airlines from charging passengers for small carry-on luggage or charging for families to sit together on a flight, in moves strongly opposed by the aviation sector. Eoghan Corry, travel and viation journalist, and Kevin Hiney, communications director with Airlines for Europe, join The Last Word to discuss these proposed measures. Catch the full chat by press...

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 human resources, finance and procurement activities. Ian Guider, columnist with the Business Post, joins The Last Word to discuss this and more of the latest business news. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

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 discussed his favourite music, film, TV, and books.

Natasha O'Brien came to prominence after soldier Cathal Crotty, who viciously attacked her in Limerick in 2022, received a three-year suspended sentence for the assault, sparking outrage across Ireland. Natasha joins The Last Word to discuss the new RTÉ documentary 'Natasha', which explores what happens next for her and other survivors of violence. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button...

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 organisation ato rebuild her life through education. To listen to the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

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 Thomas join The Last Word to discuss Trump's involvement in the conflict and more of the latest news from the United States. But to start, Dr Edward Burke, lecturer in the history of war at UCD, joins to discuss how the escalating situation in the mid...

The new €2.4bn pediatric hospital will officially be named the National Children's Hospital of Ireland according to a Government proposal, despite efforts to name it after doctor and political activist Dr Kathleen Lynn. Dr Mary McAuliffe, director of Gender Studies at UCD, and Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh join The Last Word to discuss whether public buildings should be named after historical fig...

The fixtures for the All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals have been confirmed, with the four teams which topped their groups - Armagh, Meath, Monaghan, and Tyrone - set to meet the winners from the preliminary quarter-finals. Will O’Callaghan from Off The Ball and Ray Silke, former All-Ireland winner with Galway, join The Last Word to look back on the previous weekend's action and ahead to the quarter-f...

Worry, anxiety and frustration are the most common feelings people have towards climate change and climate policies, according to a new government report. Sadhbh O'Neill, project lead for Feminist Communities for Climate Justice, joins The Last Word to discuss why people feel so hopeless about Ireland's climate action and what can be done about it. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button...

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. To catch the full conversation, press the ‘play’ button on this page.

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 Chara stands defiant at Dublin gig after UK court appearance. Sarah McGuinness, political correspondent with the Irish Daily Mail, and Cathal O’Sullivan, assistant producer with 98FM, join The Last Word to discuss all of the week's trending stories. Catc...

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 for young players as they plan a trip to Ireland this summer for a series of games around the country. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.