The Last Word with Matt Cooper

Épisodes

• The Week Trending: Remembering Brenda Fricker, World Cup Half Time Show, & Appropriate Heatwave Attire 17.07.2026 29min

  Lise Hand and Cathal O’Sullivan join The Last Word for the week trending. They pay tribute to Oscar-winning Irish actress Brenda Fricker who has died at the age of 81. They also look ahead to the World Cup final on Sunday and, as the heatwave continues, they ask, when is it acceptable for men to be topless in public?Catch the full chat by pressing the ‘Play’ button on this page!
• Trump Addresses U.S In Controversial Speech On Election Security 17.07.2026 8min

  From complicated election data to the ever tender relationship with China, Law Lecturer at the University of Galway, Larry Donnelly, joins The Last Word to discuss the details of last night's speech.To hear the full chat press 'PLAY' on this page now!
• The Last Word On Movies: The Odyssey & Christopher Nolan's Best Films 16.07.2026 20min

  Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of Homer's ancient Greek epic the Odyssey arrives in cinemas this weekend.Brian Lloyd joins The Last Word to review 'The Odyssey' and discuss Christopher Nolan's best films to date.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
• Should Farmers Get Funding To Help The Environment? 16.07.2026 13min

  The Just Transition Commission has published a report in which it recommends farmers receiving long-term funding in order to tackle climate change issues and biodiversity loss.Environmental commentator John Gibbons joins Matt on The Last Word.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.
• What Now For Tuchel & England After World Cup Capitulation? 16.07.2026 7min

  England manager Thomas Tuchel has been criticised for the substitutions he made to his team after they went 1-0 up in the second half of the Fifa World Cup semi-final against Argentina.Despite being a goal ahead in the closing stages of the game, they conceded two late goals and were knocked out of the tournament.Miguel Delaney, Chief Football Writer with the Independent, speaks to Matt on The Last Word about what the future could hold for Tuchel.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.
• Tech Thursday: Gadgets To Make Memorable Family Days Out  16.07.2026 11min

  Andy O'Donoghue joins The Last Word to chat all things tech when planning family days out during the heatwave. To listen to the full chat press 'PLAY' on this page. 
• Culture Club: Jane Casey 15.07.2026 34min

  Author Jane Casey is this week’s inductee into The Last Word’s Culture Club, as she marks the release of her new book ‘Everything She Didn’t Say’.Hit the 'Play' button on this page to hear her choices.
• Luke Combs Fans Warned To Beware Of Scammers 15.07.2026 9min

  Bank of Ireland has warned music fans to be aware of online fraudsters and to only purchase tickets from verified sellers. Charlie Weston, of The Irish Independent, tells Matt how to avoid getting scammed ahead of Irish festival season.To hear the full chat, press 'PLAY' on this page now!
• Over €1 Million Euro Was Spent On One Deportation Flight 15.07.2026 11min

  The state paid more than €1 million for a single deportation flight when returning 42 adults & children to South Africa in June.Fianna Fáil's Seamus McGrath, and Aontú's Peader Tóibín, join Matt to discuss the reasoning behind this high travel bill.To hear the full chat, press 'PLAY' on this page now!
• The Last Word On The US: Trump Backs Down On Plans To Charge Fees In Strait Of Hormuz 14.07.2026 19min

  US President Donald Trump has backed down on his plans to charge a 20% toll on cargo going through the Strait of Hormuz and will instead have “Trade and Investment Deals” with Gulf states, he said.Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone to discuss the renewed chaos in the region as the US and Iran face off over the vital waterway and more of the latest news from the United States.Catch the full discussion by hitting the ‘Play’ button on this page!
• 2 Out Of 3 People Struggle To Get A Taxi After Night Out. 14.07.2026 6min

  The Licensed Vintners Association has released a study which claims 67% of people have struggled to get a taxi home after a night out. Donall O'Keefe, CEO of the LVA, tells us about who is most effected and what other options we have. To hear the full conversation press play on this page now!
• Is Dublin City Centre Out Of Control? 13.07.2026 13min

  Last week, Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon wrote a piece for TheJournal.ie detailing his walk home across Dublin city centre.He detailed how he witnessed addiction, poverty, drug dealing, and what he described as a lack of political will to rejuvenate O’Connell Street.He speaks to The Last Word about the current state of the city centre, and if there’s any solutions.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.
• TV & Streaming: Hacks And The Pitt Lead Emmy Nominations 13.07.2026 15min

  Medical drama The Pitt has received 25 nominations for this year's Emmy Awards, with comedy Hacks just behind with 24 nods.The awards will take place in LA on September 14th and will be presented by actress Mariska Hargitay.Joe O’Shea and Elaine Burke join The Last Word.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.
• The Last Word On Travel: City Break Special - Copenhagen, Budapest, Berlin 13.07.2026 13min

  Kaitlin Murphy from thetravelexpert.ie joins The Last Word for a city break special!Kaitlin has three great travel guides for Copenhagen, Budapest and Berlin.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
• How To Protect Your Dog During The Heatwave 13.07.2026 8min

  Tips for staying cool during a heatwave aren't just for us humans.Laura Mock, Head of Veterinary services at Irish Blue Cross, informs us on how to protect our pets from heatstroke throughout the high temperatures. Hit Play on this page to listen now!
• The Week Trending: Count Binface, World Cup Bank Holiday & Heatwaves 10.07.2026 25min

  This week on The Week Trending, Matt is joined by Journalist Kate Henshaw and Broadcaster Padraig Wilson McCarthy to discuss the week's stories.They discuss Nigel Farage v Count Binface, a potential English World Cup Bank Holiday, the heatwave and much more.Hit Play on this page to listen now
• Man Almost Sucked Out Of Ryan Air Window 10.07.2026 7min

  A man was almost sucked out the widow of a Ryan Air flight after the window detached mid-air.Eoghan Corry, Editor of Travel Extra, joins Matt to discuss the terrifying moment for passengers on their German bound flight. Hit the 'Play' button on this page to hear the full chat. 
• Unions Across Europe Call For Worker Protections During High Temperatures 09.07.2026 13min

  Trade unions across Europe are pushing for new measures to help employees working in extreme heat.Among the precautions are workplace thermal limits, mandatory site heat risk assessments and rights to heat breaks. It’s estimated that there are 230 workplace deaths a year which are linked to high temperatures.Environmental commentator John Gibbons speaks to Matt on The Last Word.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear their chat.
• RTE Requires €65m Bailout In 2028, Broadcaster Says 09.07.2026 11min

  RTE has said it will need an additional €65m from the government in 2028, suggesting that the number of households without a television has “increased steadily”, meaning it’s missing out on potential revenue.Louise Burne, Political Correspondent with the Irish Examiner, and Fianna Fáil TD Albert Dolan speak to Matt on The Last Word.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.
• The Last Word On Movies: What To Expect In Irish Cinemas This Weekend 09.07.2026 11min

  Olivia Fahy joins The Last Word to chat all about the new releases hitting Irish cinemas this weekend. From The Rocks wig in Moana to watching Evil Dead Burn through her fingers, Olivia tells Matt what to look out for this weekend.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!