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The Last Word with Matt Cooper

News & Politics Podcasts

On Ireland's most cutting edge current affairs show, Matt and his guests provide a running stream of intelligent opinions and heated debates on the issues that matter most to Irish listeners. You might not always agree, but you'll never want to miss a Word.

Location:

Dublin, Ireland

Description:

On Ireland's most cutting edge current affairs show, Matt and his guests provide a running stream of intelligent opinions and heated debates on the issues that matter most to Irish listeners. You might not always agree, but you'll never want to miss a Word.

Twitter:

@lstwrd

Language:

English

Contact:

83 410 0102


Episodes
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Randal Plunkett On Rewilding His Family's Ancient Estate

10/16/2025
What does a reluctant earl do when he inherits a 1,600-acre estate in Co Meath? Randal Plunkett, the 21st Earl of Dunsany, joined The Last Word to discuss how he transformed his ancestral home into Ireland's biggest private rewilding project. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Duration:00:12:39

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New Study Claims Hybrid Cars Are As Dangerous For The Environment As Petrol And Diesel Models

10/16/2025
A new report by advocacy group Transport and Environment has found that plug-in hybrid electric vehicles emit just 19% less Co2 than petrol and diesel cars, a much lower figure than the originally projected 75%. Environmental commentator John Gibbons spoke to Matt on Thursday’s The Last Word. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.

Duration:00:10:16

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Jonathan Dowdall Enters Witness Protection

10/16/2025
Nicola Tallant, Investigations Editor with the Sunday World and host of the Crime World podcast, spoke to Matt about the release from Limerick Prison of former Sinn Fein councillor Jonathan Dowdall who turned state witness in the Regency murder case. Having served his sentence for torture and false imprisonment of a man and for his part in the shooting of David Byrne, it is expected that Jonathan Dowdall will be relocated abroad and enter the witness protection programme. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

Duration:00:10:46

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Think You Know The Presidents? Mary Robinson

10/16/2025
In this episode of Think You Know...The Presidents?, presenters Lise Hand and Flor Mac Carthy get to grips with their own 'girl crush' as they recall Robinson's rocky road to the Áras, when she encountered sexism and misogyny along the campaign trail. Mary Robinson didn't just win the presidency in 1990, she blew the dusty doors off Áras an Uachtaráin. That win was a seismic day for Ireland - we had our first woman president, and Ireland was on the cusp of great change, culturally, socially and economically. Mná na hÉireann finally had a voice.

Duration:00:37:42

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Culture Club: Marie Cassidy

10/15/2025
Former State Pathologist Marie Cassidy spoke to Matt about her second novel, Deadly Evidence, a thriller following the investigative work of a fictional state pathology who must help solve the murder of garda detective. Marie also discussed her favourite music, gigs, books, film, TV and more. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

Duration:00:31:47

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Irish International Andrew Porter On How His Drive To Excel In Rugby Helped Him Overcome His Eating Disorder

10/15/2025
Andrew Porter is best known for playing as a loosehead prop for Leinster, Ireland and the British & Irish Lions. He has released his autobiography “Heart on My Sleeve: My Story of Struggle and Strength” in which he details how his mother’s death when he was 12 years old impacted his mental health, his subsequent eating disorder and how fatherhood has changed his perspective in every aspect of his life. He spoke to Matt on Wednesday’s The Last Word. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear their chat.

Duration:00:19:24

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Eco Labels Nudge Shoppers Towards More Sustainable Clothes

10/15/2025
Have you ever considered how the clothes you wear were made? Would you choose more sustainable options if they were clearly labelled? Dr Shane Timmons joined The Last Word to discuss new research conducted by the ESRI's Behavioural Unit which found that 'eco labels', which highlight an item of clothing's environmental impact, lead shoppers to make more sustainable choices. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Duration:00:09:31

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The Last Word On The US: Will Gaza Ceasefire Hold?

10/14/2025
Cal Thomas, US nationally syndicated columnist and Marion McKeone discussed Donald Trump's 24 hour diplomatic mission to the Middle East and his speech in the Israeli Knesset. They also looked ahead to Friday's Washington meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

Duration:00:15:50

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The Last Word On Music: Taylor Swift's 'The Life Of A Showgirl' Divides Fans And Critics

10/14/2025
At the beginning of October, Taylor Swift released her 12th studio album 'The Life Of A Showgirl'. Swift reunited with producer Max Martin for this album, who worked alongside her on the hugely successful Red, 1989 and Reputation records. However, her latest album hasn't been as universally lauded has her previous work. Having recently finished her Era's Tour, is Swift suffering from creative fatigue? John Caddell & Dee Reddy spoke to Matt on Tuesday's The Last Word. Hit the 'Play' button on this page to hear the piece.

Duration:00:21:33

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The Challenging Road Back From Injury And Paralysis

10/14/2025
Fergus Farrell, former rugby player and author of Rebuilding A Man, spoke to Matt about a freak accident that caused a spinal injury and his long, challenging road back to recovery. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

Duration:00:19:07

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Think You Know The Presidents? Patrick Hillery

10/14/2025
Did you know that Hillery was forced to deal with rumours of his extramarital affair at a time when the Pope was visiting Ireland? Or that he was embroiled in political controversy when senior members of Fianna Fáil made calls to Áras an Uachtaráin to try and persuade the president not to dissolve the Dáil? In this episode of Think You Know...The Presidents?, Lise Hand and Flor Mac Carthy find the real scandals behind what was considered a largely uneventful presidency.

Duration:00:39:26

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Ireland Head Coach Andy Farrell On Growing Up In Wigan, Becoming A Father At 16 & World Cup 2027 Hopes

10/13/2025
On Monday, Matt met Ireland head coach Andy Farrell, as he launched his new autobiography 'The Only Way I Know'. Farrell spoke openly about his working class upbringing in Wigan, the characteristics required to lead a professional team and his experience of becoming a father to his son Owen when he himself was just a teenager. Hit the 'Play' button on this page to hear the chat.

Duration:00:30:37

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Thurles To Be As Accessible To Dublin As Greystones Under Irish Rail Plans

10/13/2025
Barry Kenny from Irish Rail outlined the changes to rail timetables and travel times, that will increase the commuter belt around Dublin. To catch the full conversation, press the play button on this page.

Duration:00:09:53

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The Week Trending: Heather Humphreys Criticises Joe Brolly's Podcast Remarks, Nigel Farage's Attack on Gary Neville and the First AI Actor

10/10/2025
This week on The Week Trending Matt is joined by Broadcaster and Author Aoife Barry and Head of Training at Communications Clinic Lorcan Nyhan to discuss the week's biggest trending stories. This week they discuss Presidential candidate Heather Humphreys' criticism of Joe Brolly's ‘very misogynistic’ podcast comments, Nigel Farage's attack on football pundit Gary Neville and Hollywood's first completely AI actor Tilly Norwood Hit Play on this page to listen now

Duration:00:21:47

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Venezuela's Opposition Leader María Corina Machado Wins Nobel Peace Prize

10/10/2025
Matt is joined by Lew Lecturer at the University of Galway and Columnist at The Journal Larry Donnelly to discuss Venezuela's Opposition Leader María Corina Machado win of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. The politician has been in hiding since August 2024. US President Donald Trump had been lobbying for the prize having been nominated by several governments including Israel Hit Play on this page to listen now

Duration:00:08:03

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Luke Combs To Become The First Country Star To Headline Slane Castle

10/9/2025
Luke Combs will headline the iconic Slane Castle in 2026, becoming the first country singer to do so. He’ll be supported by The Script, Ty Myers, and The Castellows. Does this move signal a change in direction for the venue, after becoming famous for hosting some of the world’s biggest rock and roll acts? John Caddell & Dee Reddy spoke to Matt on The Last Word.

Duration:00:13:11

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Did The Government Ignore The Climate Crisis In Budget 2026?

10/9/2025
Critics have accused the government of failing to adequately tackle climate change in Budget 2026, which was announced by Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe & Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers on Tuesday. Labour TD Marie Sherlock said that climate action has “fallen off the political agenda”, while presidential candidate and Independent TD Catherine Connolly said that there’s no “recognition” of the issue in the budget. Environmental commentator John Gibbons spoke to Matt about this on Thursday. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.

Duration:00:13:00

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Tech Thursday: The Best Budgeting & Money Apps

10/9/2025
This week on Tech Thursday, Andy O'Donoghue joined The Last Word to run through all of the best budgeting and money apps. Whether you're saving up for something big or you just want to better manage your money, these apps could help you save some cash. Catch the full chat by pressing the play button on this page!

Duration:00:13:53

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Think You Know The Presidents? Cearbhail Ó Dálaigh

10/9/2025
Why was Cearbhail Ó Dálaigh so divisive? The legal eagle managed to ruffle the feathers of many government officials during his time with one minister branding him a "thundering disgrace". But there are many questions that surround Cearbhail Ó Dálaigh's controversial (and short) term as president. Lise Hand and Flor Mac Carthy get colourful in their language and share how this presidency ended in such a public insult.

Duration:00:38:18

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Culture Club: Leona Forde

10/8/2025
Children's writer and teacher, Leona Forde, was the latest inductee into the Culture Club. Leona spoke to Matt about the latest book in her Milly McCarthy series - Milly McCarthy And The Haunted House HullaBOOloo! She also discussed her favourite books, music, movies and TV shows. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

Duration:00:32:03