The Last Word with Matt Cooper

ABC News has agreed to pay Donald Trump $15 million to settle a defamation action, sparking concerns that the incoming President could bring more cases against other media outlets. Cal Thomas, nationally syndicated US columnist, and Marion McKeone, US correspondent with the Business Post, join The Last Word to discuss this and more of the weeks news from the US. Catch the full chat by pressing the...

Stuck for a Christmas present? Sarah Slattery, from travelexpert.ie, joins The Last Word to give her top gift ideas for anyone who loves to travel. She has great value short breaks, hotel vouchers, travel accessories and more. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Joe O’Shea and Elaine Burke spoke to Ian Guider on Monday’s The Last Word, where they gave their picks for their favourite TV shows of 2024. Among their choices were Ripley, Rivals and Wolf Hall. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the full list.

Ian Guider was joined by Off The Ball’s Will O’Callaghan and Chief Football Writer with The Independent, Miguel Delaney to discuss the weekend’s Premier League results. Man City’s poor run of form continued as they suffered a late defeat at home to Man United, meanwhile Gary O’Neil and Russell Martin became the latest managers to be sacked after Wolves lost to Ipswich Town and Southampton were ham...

Eoin Hayes suspended from the Social Democrats, Donald Trump is Time's Person of the Year and the real-life Succession plans. Breda Brown, communications director at Unique Media, and Lorcan Nyhan, head of training with the Communications Clinic, join The Last Word to discuss the week's trending stories. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

The Climate Change Advisory Council has proposed reducing emissions in Ireland by 67% by 2040, stating that the country has failed to rise to the challenge of tackling climate change. Environment commentator John Gibbons spoke to Matt about this warning on Friday’s The Last Word. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

Michael Foley, Sportswriter with The Sunday Times and Chief Sportswriter with the Irish Daily Star, Kieran Cunningham, joined Matt to look back at the best sports books that were released in 2024. Among their choices were “The Racket” by Conor Niland, “Unladylike” by Hayley Kilgallon and Johnny Sexton’s “Obsessed”. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the rest of their picks.

Andy O'Donoghue joins The Last Word to talk through his top picks for sound tech, phones and tablets for gifts this Christmas. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe and journalist Lise Hand were back once again for The Last Word’s review of the best non-fiction books of the past 12 months. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear their choices.

Actor Simon Delaney is the latest inductee into the Culture Club. The author of new novel 'Watching Over You' joins The Last Word to discuss his favourite music, movies, TV and more. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Credit unions' mortgage and business lending capacity are set to treble in the coming years under proposals from the Central Bank. Ian Guider, columnist with the Business Post, joins The Last Word to discuss what this means for customers and more of the day's business news. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Authors Edel Coffey and Kevin Power joined Matt on Wednesday for The Last Word’s annual Fiction Books of the Year slot. Edel’s choices included Ferdia Lennon’s “Glorious Exploits” and “Intermezzo” by Sally Rooney, while Kevin picked “The Proof of My Innocence” by Jonathan Coe and Colin Barrett’s “Wild Houses”, among many others. To hear their full list of choices hit the ‘Play’ button on this page...

On Wednesday’s The Last Word, Vaughan Yates, founder of The Virgin Mary Bar, gave his choices of non-alcoholic drinks for you to enjoy throughout the Christmas period. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear what he picked.

Russell Alford and Patrick Hanlon, AKA the GastroGays and Restaurant Critics with the Sunday Times, had their choices of just some of their favourite cookbooks published in 2024. To listen to the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page. Cook: Traditional Irish Cooking with Modern Twists by Graham Herterich Saladology by Theo Kirwan (Sprout & Co) Simply Jamie by Jamie Oliver Who...

Judith Boyle, beverage lecturer at TU Dublin, had her seasonal choices of best beers and ales to pair with your Christmas diner or for parties during the holiday season. To listen to the full conversations, press the 'play' button below.

A 26-year-old has been charged with murdering Brian Thompson, UnitedHealthcare’s CEO. According to officials, Luigi Mangione was arrested in Pennsylvania after he was spotted eating at a McDonald’s. Nationally syndicated columnist Cal Thomas & Marion McKeone, US Correspondent with the Business Post, joined Matt for this week’s US slot to discuss this. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear...

The (UK) Independent's Chief Football Writer, Miguel Delaney, joins Matt to discuss all the action from the Premier League over the weekend. Chelsea announce themselves in the title race, Man City drop points again and Man United lose at home to soaring Forest. Hit 'Play' to get the latest.

Brigid O'Hora, author of The Home Sommelier and wine expert with Classic Drinks, introduced Matt to some new wines, white, red and sparkling, to try with the turkey and trimmings. Brigid's recommendations are; Cremant de Bordeaux Ballerin, NV. €40 Avanzi Lugana Sirmione, Italy €15 Bodegas Valdesil Godello, Valdeorras, Spain €24  Fleurie, Famille Chermette, Poncie, Beaujolais €18  Chateau...

Sarah Slattery from travelexpert.ie joins The Last Word to discuss the best Christmas markets and experiences in Ireland this festive season. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ was written in just 15 minutes in August. It went on to become one of the most iconic Christmas tunes of all time. Join Louise Cantillon for a Last Word on Music Christmas Special, with the story behind Mariah Carey’s iconic 'All I Want For Christmas Is You'.

The FAI apologises over use of 'Londonderry' in a match programme, Marian Price sues Disney over 'Say Nothing' scene and growing number of allegations against Masterchef's Greg Wallace. Roe McDermott, advice columnist with The Irish Times, and Kieran Cunningham, chief sports writer with the Irish Daily Star, join The Last Word to discuss the week's trending stories. Catch the full chat by pressing...

Children in mixed schools have more friends than those at single-sex schools and boys in all-boys schools have the lowest level of closeness to their friends according to new research. Irish Times Parenting Columnist Jen Hogan joins The Last Word to discuss why she thinks co-education is best for boys and girls. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

With the Green Party out and Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael on course to be back in government, John Gibbons joins The Last Word to discuss what the general election result could mean for Ireland's fight against climate change. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Andy O'Donoghue joins The Last Word to talk through his top picks for kitchen and beauty tech that could make wonderful gifts this Christmas. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Frank Greaney, Courts Correspondent, Today FM, had the details of Mr Justice Alexander Owen's judgement on legal costs after Nikita Hand won her civil case against Conor McGregor.