The Last Word with Matt Cooper

The 2024 general election is officially underway with just three weeks until polling day on Friday, November 29. Gary Murphy, professor of politics at the School of Law and Government in DCU, Sarah Carey, columnist with the Irish Independent , and Daniel McConnell, editor of the Business Post, join The Last Word to discuss the issues that could define the general election campaign. Catch the full...

Miguel Delaney, Chief Football Writer with The Independent, has released his new book “States of Play: How Sportswashing Took Over Football”. It looks at how modern football has never been more powerful, yet the injection of money into the sport is creating a host of issues on a global scale. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear his chat with Matt.

Andy O'Donoghue joins The Last Word to talk about the best home sound system tech to elevate your listening experience. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

After Donald Trump was elected as the 47th US President this week, environmental campaigners have expressed concerns about his impact on attempts to tackle climate change. Environmental commentator John Gibbons joined Matt to discuss this on Thursday’s The Last Word. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.

Eoghan Murphy was Minister for Housing from 2017 to 2020 and it was a tenure that received widespread criticism as homeless figures continued to rise and the housing crisis worsened. He has released his book “Running from Office: Confessions of Ambition and Failure in Politics” about his time in government and on Thursday, he joined Matt on The Last Word to discuss it. Hit the ‘Play’ button on thi...

Ian Guider, columnist with the Business Post, joins The Last Word to discuss what impact Donald Trump's US presidential victory will have on the economy in Ireland, Europe and the rest of the world. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Donald Trump has been elected US president for a second time, making a remarkable comeback from his loss against Joe Biden in 2020. Marion McKeone, US correspondent for the Business Post, Cal Thomas, nationally syndicated columnist, and Larry Donnelly, law lecturer at University of Galway and political columnist with TheJournal.ie, join The Last Word to discuss Trump's victory and what his second...

Matt was joined by Gary Murphy, Professor of Politics at the School of Law and Government in DCU and Danny McConnell, Editor, Business Post, to discuss the impact of Donald Trump's victory for Irish politics, trade and security. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

As millions head to the polls in the United States the knife-edge presidential election is still all to play for. Cal Thomas, nationally syndicated US columnist, and Marion McKeone, US correspondent for the Business Post, join The Last Word to assess each candidate's performance in the final days of the campaign and concerns about violence over election outcome. Catch the full chat by pressing the...

Lawrence Donegan, author of the ‘GoodbyeDonald?’ Substack blog spoke to The Last Word live from Mar-a-Lago in Florida to give an update on the feeling on the ground as voting continues in the 2024 US Presidential race. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear his chat with Matt.

Sarah Carey, Columnist at the Irish Independent, Gary Murphy, Professor of Politics at the School of Law and Government in DCU and Louise Burne, Political Correspondent with the Irish Mirror spoke to Matt about how the coming weeks could play out for each political party once the general election is called. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

The cap on passenger numbers at Dublin Airport, which was due to come into effect next summer, is set to be paused after a decision by the High Court on Monday. Ian Guider joined Matt for The Last Word’s daily business news to explain the decision. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

Russell Alford, co-restaurant critic with The Sunday Times and one half of the Gastro Gays, returns to The Last Word to discuss more of his favourite foodie travel destinations. This time he talks about the best food and restaurants in Seoul, South Korea and Chicago in the US. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

US presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump spent the weekend making last ditch efforts to drum up support before polling day. With just one day to go, Larry Donnelly, law lecturer at the University of Galway and political columnist with The Journal, joins The Last Word to asses each of the candidates' chances and what could happen once polls close. Catch the full chat by pressing th...

Seven-time All-Ireland winner with Kilkenny Richie Hogan has released his new autobiography, “What It Takes”. He joined Matt to talk about his career that lasted almost two decades, infamous run-ins with teammates at training and what it’s like to be in the pundit’s chair after so much time spent as a player. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael appear to have joined forces to block a strategy from the Green Party, which includes new anti-pollution taxes for motorists, just before the general election is called. Tabitha Monahan, political reporter with the Irish Independent, and Brian Leddin, Green Party TD for Limerick City, join The Last Word to discuss. Listen to the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on...

In the final days of the US presidential election, the race is on a knife edge as Donald Trump and Kamala Harris focus on getting as many people out to vote as possible. Cal Thomas, nationally syndicated US columnist, and Marion McKeone, US correspondent with the Business Post, join The Last Word to discuss why the race is so close, Trump's promise to 'protect women' and more. Catch the full chat...

Dave Hanratty, host of the No Encore podcast and Voices Editor and Podcast Producer with TheJournal.ie , Laura Byrne, joined Matt on Friday for The Week Trending. Up for discussion was the fake Halloween parade on O’Connell Street, Michael Healy Rae’s use of a Taylor Swift deepfake ahead of the general election and Saoirse Ronan’s viral moment on last Friday’s Graham Norton Show. Hit the ‘Play’ bu...

There’s huge Irish interest in the big screen this week as the hotly anticipated ‘Small Things Like These’ starring Cillian Murphy and Eileen Walsh hits cinemas. Also due for release this weekend is Steve McQueen’s latest film ‘Blitz’, set during World War II and starring Saoirse Ronan. Roe McDermott, Movies Editor with Hotpress, joined Matt to give her reviews. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page...

Andy O'Donoghue joins The Last Word to discuss a range of devices that allow viewers to get the best out of their streaming services. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

The death toll in Spain has surpassed 150 people after parts of Valencia saw a year’s worth of rainfall in eight hours. Environmental commentator John Gibbons joined Matt to explain how climate change has an impact on extreme weather events. Press the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

We’re just 5 days away from the US election, and both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have headed to the western states in their final attempts to sway voters in their favour. Lawrence Donegan, Author of the ‘GoodbyeDonald?’ Substack blog and US-based journalist Dave Hannigan joined Matt to continue The Last Word’s countdown to November 5th. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear their chat.

Broadcasting legend Marty Whelan was this week’s inductee into The Last Word’s Culture Club. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear his choices.

Britain had its first budget under the new Labour government today and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves set out a plan to raise £40 billion in taxes as she promised to "fix the foundations" of the economy. Ian Guider, columnist with the Business Post, joins The Last Word to asses the UK budget and discuss more of the day's business news. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button o...

Matt spoke to journalist, producer and author Trevor Birney about his book Shooting Crows. The book details his arrest and investigation over his documentary from 2017 on the collusion between the RUC and Loyalists in the Loughlinisland Massacre. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.