The Last Word with Matt Cooper

Matt is joined by Will O'Callaghan to discuss the biggest sporting moments of 2025.From athletics to rugby, from Troy Parrott to Rory McIlroy they discuss a massive year for Irish sport Hit Play on this page to listen now

As 2025 comes to a close, The Last Word pays tribute to all of those who have passed away throughout the year.That includes movie legends Robert Redford and Diane Keaton; musicians Ozzy Osbourne and Chris Rea; beloved Irish figures Manchán Magan and Hugh Wallace; and many more.Press 'Play' to hear The Last Word's legacies reel.

This week on the Last Word on TV & Streaming, Joe O'Shea and Elaine Burke join Matt to give you the best recommendations for what to watch over Christmas.From Stranger Things to Amadeus and more you won't be stuck for things to watch over the festive season Hit Play on this page to listen now.

This week on The Last Word on The US Matt is joined by Journalist Marion McKeone and Law Lecturer and Columnist Larry Donnelly to look back on the biggest American stories from the year.They chat about all things Donald Trump, the death of Charlie Kirk and more Hit Play on this page to listen now

With news that Driving Home For Christmas singer Chris Rea has died age 74, John Caddell joins Matt to talk about his career and some of his biggest hitsWe also some memories of Chris Rea from listenersHit Play on this page to listen now

Paschal Donohoe, Managing Director of the World Bank and journalist Lise Hand return to give their non-fiction recommendations of the year. Their choices are below. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.Lise's choices1. Careless People: Sarah Wynn-Williams2. The Secret Life of Leinster House: Gavan Reilly3. I'm Glad You Asked Me That: Terry Prone 4. When the Going Was Good: An Editor's Adventures During the Last Golden Age of Magazines: Graydon Carter5. Kitchen Confidential: Anthony Bourdain (25th anniversary ed.) Paschal's choices1 A Short History of America by Simon Jenkins.2 The World's Worst Bet: How the Globalization Gamble Went Wrong.3 Breakneck by Dan Wang4 The Thinking Machine by Stephen Witt5 Speaking My Mind by Leo Varadkar6. Love in a Time of Politics by Katherine Zaponne

Ambulance services are being abused by late night revellers who call 999 to get them home due to taxi shortages, according to paramedics; a primary school was forced to ask students to bring in their own toilet roll due to funding shortages; and the woman caught up in the viral Coldplay kiss cam has broken her silence. Fionnuala Jones and Dave Hanratty join The Last Word to discuss the week's trending stories. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Irish Times columnist and 'An Irish Diary' writer, Frank McNally talks to Matt about his early career in the civil service and how he got into journalism. In his new book, he turns his attention inwards and reflects on his unusual life.Frank's book is called Not Making Hay, The Life And Times Of A 'Diary' Farmer. To listen to the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

Brian Lloyd and Cara O'Doherty join The Last Word to recommend some great movies to watch over the Christmas period.From 'Saipan' and a brand new 'Knives Out' to Christmas classics like 'The Muppets Christmas Carol', there are so many great movies to playing in cinemas and on TV and streaming.Hear all of their recommendations by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

For The Last Word on the Environment this week John Gibbons joins Matt to give us some reasons to be cheerful in the fight against climate changeThey discuss Ireland's move towards renewable energy like wind and solar Hit Play on this page to listen now

Matt is joined by Ian Guider for the annual business review for 2025They look back on some of the biggest business news of the year Hit Play on this page to listen now

On this week's Tech Thursday Andy O'Donoghue give us suggestions for some last minute Christmas presentsAndy has suggestions for power banks, smart home tech and more Hit Play on this page to listen now

Fresh from winning the Popular Book of the year at this year's An Post Irish Book Awards for her latest book Paper Heart, Cecelia Ahern joins Matt in the culture club to run through the music, movies, TV, books and plays that have been the soundtrack and influences in her life.To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

The European Union is proposing a crackdown on Airbnbs and other short term rentals as part of a major plan to tackle the shortage of affordable homes in the EU.Máire Ní Mhurchu, chief executive of Irish Self Catering Federation, and Kathleen Funchion, Sinn Fein MEP, join The Last Word to discuss the EU's plan. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

This week on The Last Word on Personal Finance Charlie Weston gives give advice on how to minimise the cost of your family food shop this Christmas.We also hear about the difference between men and women's Christmas shopping habits Hit Play on this page to listen now

From Rosalia to the return of Pulp, John Caddell, Dee Reddy and Dave Hanratty join The Last Word to run through their picks for the best albums of 2025.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

US President Donald Trump has been condemned for a social media post in which claimed that director and actor Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle were killed due to the filmmaker's criticism of the president.Cal Thomas and Larry Donnelly 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!

The big politics story of the day is storm that continues to swirl around Michael Martins leadership of his party as questions still remain over the handling of Jim Gavin's disastrous Presidential bid.Matt is joined by Political Correspondent at the Irish Examiner Louise Burne and Editor at the Business Post Daniel McConnell to discuss Martin's positionHit Play on this page to listen now

Edel Coffey, novelist and columnist, and Kevin Power, author and assistant professor at Trinity College Dublin, join The Last Word to discuss their picks for the best fiction of 2025.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Matt is joined by Joe O'Shea and Elaine Burke to discuss the best tv and streaming of 2025.Joe and Elaine give a rundown of the finest tv of this year that you may have missed to give you inspiration for some Christmas viewing Hit Play on this page to listen now

In the wake of the horrific attacks at a Hannukah event at Bondi beach, questions are being raised about the growth of antisemitism in Ireland and around the world.Matt is joined by founder of Holocaust Remembrance Ireland Oliver Sears to discussHit Play on this page to listen now

The Irish Farmers Association, including President Francie Gorman and his 11 year old son, are travelling to Brussels to protest the EU- Mercosur trade deal which would see Europe's trading partnerships with South America grow.Francie Gorman joins Matt to explain the farmers' concerns Hit Play on this page to listen now

The Department of Housing this week deleted a video that offered advice for adults who find themselves moving back in with their parents; a second Irish swimmer has joined the Enhanced Games; and the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has claimed that Calibri font is 'woke'.All of these stories and more are up for discussion on The Last Word's Week Trending with Dion Fanning, co-host of The Irish Free State podcast, and Edel Coffey, author and columnist.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Brigid O'Hora, wine expert and author of the Home Sommelier, joins Matt in studio for her seasonal wine tasting, whether for Christmas dinner pairing recommendations, or gifts for the wine lovers in your life.Brigid's sparkling choice is Pannier, Brut, Champagne AOP, France. Her white wine choices are San Leonardo Vette di San Leonardo Sauvignon Blanc, Trentino IGT, Italy 2024 and Domaine Gautheron Chablis Vielles Vigne, Chablis AOP, France 2022.For red wine recommendations, Brigid suggests Maison George Vigouroux, Chateau de Haut Serre, Malbec ‘Lucter' France 2022, and Bodegas Muriel Rioja, Gran Reserva DOCa, Spain 2016.To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

Brian Lloyd and Cara O'Doherty join The Last Word to chat about their top movies from 2025.From the Oscar winning film The Brutalist to the classic comedy The Naked Gun, they have it all!Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Kieran Cunningham joins The Last Word as he and Matt run through their favourite sports books that were released in 2025.Hit the ‘Play' button on this page to hear the chat.

There's still time to order Christmas present online and Andy O'Donoghue joins The Last Word to run through some tech gifts that everyone will love!He has 3D printers, family games, speakers and even a high tech pet feeder.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Musician David Keenan is the latest guest on the Culture Club. David recently released his third album 'Modern Mythologies' and the making of the album is documented in the award-winning Irish language documentary ‘Focla ar Chanbhás'.He joins The Last Word to chat about his favourite music, movies, TV and more.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Matt is joined by Russell Alford and Patrick Hanlon aka The Gastrogays to discuss the best cookbooks of 2025They give you all the recommendations you'll need to cook up a storm or the perfect Christmas present idea Hit Play on this page to listen now

Today, the Dail debated a new bill from the Social Democrats aimed at tackling mistreatment of dogs at puppy farms.Matt is joined buy Social Democrats TD for Wicklow Jennifer Whitmore to discuss the bill Hit Play on this page to listen now

This winter many people have noticed their electricity costs increasing significantly but why are these prices so high and what can people do?Matt is joined by Sinn Féin TD & Spokesperson on Climate, Environment, Energy and Transport Pa Daly and Head of Communications at Bonkers.ie Daragh Cassidy to discuss Hit Play on this page to listen now

Judith Boyle, Lecturer in Beverages at TU Dublin is back with Matt on The Last Word and this time she's got a selection of beers that can be enjoyed over the Christmas period (and beyond!).Hit the ‘Play' button on this page to hear what she's picked.

The Kenova report has been published and in it the independent inquiry has encouraged the UK Govern to officially reveal the identity of 'Stakeknife', the British army's most senior double agent during the Troubles widely believed to be senior Belfast IRA member Freddie Scappaticci.The report has also published findings on the Dublin/Monaghan bombings.Author of Stakeknife's Dirty War Richard O'Rawe and retired Detective Chief Superintendent in An Garda Síochána John O'Brien join Matt to discuss the report's findings Hit Play on this page to listen now

After his explosive comments over the weekend, including that his relationship with manager Arne Slot has broken down, what's next for one of Liverpool's most successful players?Matt is joined by Chief Football Writer at the Independent Miguel Delaney and former professional footballer Tony Cascarino to discuss Salah's future and Slot's most recent comments.Hit Play on this page to listen now

Christmas can be a time of excess, from the food to the presents and, of course, the alcohol. But Irish drinking patterns are changing, with more people looking to moderate their alcohol consumption.Vaughan Yates, founder of the TVM Collective, joins The Last Word to chat about some great non-alcoholic drinks options for the festive period.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

This week on The Last Word on TV & Streaming, Joe O'Shea and Elaine Burke join Matt to discuss the Golden Globe Nominations and Taylor Swifts new docuseries They also reflect on this year's I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!Hit Play on this page to listen now

A new report from MyHome found that 'Opaque Bidding' is contributing to Ireland's housing.Another report from Sherry Fitzgerald also found that house prices are beyond the reach of the average couple in Ireland.Hit Play on this page to listen now

This week for The Last Word on Travel, The Travel Expert Sarah Slattery talks to Matt about the best deals on travel related Christmas presents.Sarah also tells us how to get the best value on your baggage and more Hit Play on this page to listen now

The new season of the Investec Champions Cup gets underway this weekend with Munster facing a tough test away to Bath and Leinster hosting Harlequins.Elsewhere, Rassie Erasmus has signed a new long term contract with South Africa which will see him stay on as head coach of the Springboks until the 2031 World Cup.Meanwhile, South African second-row Eben Etzebeth has been hit with a twelve-game ban for eye-gouging against Wales last weekend, but did the punishment fit the crime?Paul Wallace speaks to Matt ahead of the weekend's fixtures.Hit the 'Play' button on this page to hear the chat.

This week on The Week Trending Matt is joined by Journalist Marion McKeone and Broadcaster Cathal Mullaney to talk about the weeks biggest trending stories.They discuss the launch of Fifa's inaugural peace prize at the World Cup draw and much more Hit Play on this page to listen now

The Last Word is beginning its countdown to Christmas and Judith Boyle, Beverages Lecturer at TU Dublin, joins Matt to showcase the best whiskeys and poitín to enjoy throughout December.Judith has a range of drinks at various price points. So whether you're looking for something more affordable or want to splash out over the festive period, she's got you covered.Hit the 'Play' button on this page to hear the piece.

Australia is set to ban all under 16s from using social media from next week but should Ireland follow suit? Matt is joined by Chief Executive of CyberSafeKids Alex Cooney and Chair of the Consultants Committee of the IMO & Consultant Psychiatrist at the Mater Hospital Professor Matthew Sadlier to discussHit play on this page to listen now