The Last Word with Matt Cooper-logo

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
Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

The Last Word On Movies: The Devil Wears Prada 2

4/30/2026
Cara O’Doherty joins Matt on The Last Word to review the much-anticipated The Devil Wears Prada 2, starring Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Stanley Tucci and Emily Blunt. How does it compare to the first film, which was released 20 years ago? Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear their chat.

Duration:00:11:40

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Filmmaker David Gleeson On His Love Letter To Irish Cinemas

4/30/2026
Filmmaker David Gleeson joins The Last Word to discuss his latest feature film 'Once Upon A Time In A Cinema' which is based on his own family's experience of running cinemas in rural Ireland. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Duration:00:11:12

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Is This The End For LIV Golf?

4/30/2026
With the news that the Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is pulling out of funding LIV golf, many are questioning if this spells the end Sports writer Kieran Cunningham joins Matt to discuss Hit Play on this page to listen now

Duration:00:07:47

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

The Last Word on the Environment: Are Solar Panels For You?

4/30/2026
John Gibbons joins Matt to discuss the biggest stories of the week for The Last Word on the Environment. They discuss the Nature Restoration Plan, solar panels and more Hit Play on this page to listen now

Duration:00:15:00

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Tech Thursday: How To Recognise AI Deepfakes

4/30/2026
This week, Tánaiste Simon Harris expressed concern about Artificial Intelligence deepfakes after a 'highly convincing' video falsely portraying him as endorsing investment products circulated online. Andy O'Donoghue joins The Last Word to discuss how to spot a deepfake and a new free online course that aims to upskill people in AI. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Duration:00:12:04

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Katriona O'Sullivan on Her New Book Hungry & Her Journey To Love Her Body

4/29/2026
Professor of Psychology and Author Katriona O'Sullivan joins Matt to discuss her new book Hungry: A Biography of My Body She gives us a sense of the book and how it deals with her lifelong journey to loving her body Hit Play on this page to listen now

Duration:00:15:14

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Culture Club: Peter O’Brien

4/29/2026
Designer Peter O'Brien joins Matt for this week’s Culture Club on The Last Word. Peter is participating in this year’s ‘Incognito’ campaign, which is Ireland's biggest online art sale in aid of the Jack and Jill Children's Foundation taking place on May 20th. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear his choices.

Duration:00:31:06

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Tánaiste Simon Harris On Govt Response To Fuel Crisis

4/29/2026
Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris joins The Last Word to discuss the government's response to the ongoing fuel crisis. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Duration:00:17:23

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Lesley Bond on Her New Book and Life on the Blasket Islands

4/28/2026
Author Lesley Bond sits down with Matt to discuss her new memoir Blasket Bound. We hear about her once-in-a-lifetime experience working as caretaker on the uninhabited Blasket islands Hit Play on this page to listen now.

Duration:00:12:56

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

The Last Word On The US: Jimmy Kimmel Defends Melania 'Expectant Widow' Joke

4/28/2026
As the fallout continues from Saturday's shooting incident White House Correspondents' Dinner, US late night host Jimmy Kimmel has defended a joke, which aired days before the event, in which he called Melania Trump an "expectant widow". Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone join The Last Word to discuss this and more of the latest news from the United States. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Duration:00:20:17

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Calls For Tax Relief On Children's Sports Club Memberships

4/28/2026
Fianna Fáil TD and former Kilkenny hurler Peter 'Chap' Cleere is calling for the introduction of a 20% tax relief on children’s sports memberships as he says some families face spending up to €1,500 a year when they have several children involved in sport. The Carlow-Kilkenny TD joins The Last Word to discuss the measure, which he will be pushing for in October's budget. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Duration:00:06:57

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

The Inside Story Of The Investigation Into The Murder Of Tina Satchwell

4/28/2026
The disappearance of Tina Satchwell in March 2017 from her home in Youghal, Co. Cork was one that gripped the nation. Her husband, Richard, was convicted of her murder in May 2025. Barry Cummins, journalist and author of ‘Buried Secrets: The Murder of Tina Satchwell and a Journalist’s Journey into Ireland’s Most Chilling Cold Case’, recounts the case and the road Tina’s family faced when trying to get justice for her. He speaks to Matt on The Last Word. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.

Duration:00:14:27

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

World Marathon Record Broken as Two Runners Finish in London in Under Two Hours

4/27/2026
The world record for fastest marathon was broken as two runners finished in London in under two hours Sabastian Sawe finished the race in 1 hour 59 minutes and 30 seconds. Matt is joined by Athletics Journalist Cathal Dennehy to talk about what this means for the future and whether our eyebrows should be raised. Hit Play on this page to listen now

Duration:00:08:03

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

King Charles Touches Down in Washington in wake of Correspondents Dinner Shooting

4/27/2026
King Charles and Queen Camilla have begun their visit to the US in the wake of the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Joining Matt with the latest on the visit is LBC presenter Nick Ferrari Hit Play on this page to listen now

Duration:00:08:32

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

The Last Word on Travel: Marrakech, Morocco

4/27/2026
This week on The Last Word on Travel Sarah Slattery of takes us through the top tips for Marrakech She brings us all you need to know when planning a trip to the Moroccan city Hit Play on this page to listen now

Duration:00:10:33

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Govt Considering One-Off Payments For Heat Pumps To Help Households With Energy Costs

4/27/2026
The Government is looking at providing one-off payments for energy saving home upgrades such as heat pumps and efficient cars to help households become less reliant on fossil fuels amid the current global fuel crisis. Philip Hannon, chief executive of the Alliance for Zero Carbon Heating, and Muireann Lynch, senior research officer at the ESRI, join The Last Word to discuss the latest proposals being considered by Government. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Duration:00:10:12

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

The Week Trending: Ryder Cup Tickets, Online Learning & Far-Right Conspiracies

4/24/2026
This week for The Week Trending, Matt is joined by Journalist Kate Henshaw and Managing Director at the Communications Clinic Eoghan McDermott to discuss the weeks biggest stories. They discuss a potential return to school from home, Ryder Cup ticket prices and more Hit Play on this page to listen now

Duration:00:23:01

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Number Of US Troops Passing Through Shannon Airport Up By 80%

4/24/2026
New figures obtained by The Irish Times has shown that the number of United States troops travelling through Shannon Airport increased by almost 80% before and during the US' attacks on Iran. Conor Gallagher, Crime & Security Correspondent with the Irish Times, joins Matt to explain the significance of the situation. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.

Duration:00:08:30

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

Ruth Medjber On Her 2026 Census

4/24/2026
Photographer Ruth Medjber is well known for her music photography and her distinctive portraits, but in 2026 she has taken on a whole new challenge. For 365 days, Ruth is travelling around Ireland, meeting new people, taking their photo and recording their story. Ruth joins The Last Word to chat all about her project 'Sin Scéal Eile' Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Duration:00:14:03

Ask host to enable sharing for playback control

The Last Word On Movies: Michael Jackson Biopic 'Michael'

4/23/2026
The Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael' is out in cinemas this weekend. The film, which is predicted to have the biggest opening weekend of any music biopic, follows the star's rise to fame with the Jackson 5 through to his hugely successful solo career but ends just before child abuse allegations against Jackson began to come to light. Brian Lloyd joins The Last Word to review 'Michael' as well as the psychological drama 'Mother Mary' which stars Anne Hathaway and 'Exit 8', a Japanese horror film that takes a refreshing approach. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Duration:00:12:26