Claim OwnershipThe Last Word with Matt Cooper
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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.
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Novelist Eimear McBride was the latest Culture Club inductee.Eimear spoke to Matt about her new novel, The City Changes Its Face. She also discussed her favourite music, films, books and the cultural touchstones that have influenced her life and work.To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.
European and American golfers are getting ready to face off against each other once again when the Ryder Cup kicks off in New York on Friday.Meanwhile, organisers of the tournament are preparing for the arrival of US President Donald Trump on opening day, with fears his visit could cause disruption.Lawrence Donegan, founder and editor of McKellar Magazine, joins The Last Word to discuss what to expect from the 2025 Ryder Cup. Catch the the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
The current system for granting exemptions for studying Irish is souring relationships between principals and parents, according to the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD).A record number, 60,946, of secondary school students received an exemption from studying Irish in the last school year.Paul Crone, director of the NAPD, and John Sharpson, primary school teacher and TV presenter, join The Last Word to discuss.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
Dee Reddy and John Caddell were back for the Last Word on Music where they had all the details of revival of Take That's Circus Tour. They also spoke about Madonna's return to Warner Records and her back catalogue.To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.
Over two million homeowners in Ireland are set to receive a letter from Revenue warning them to revalue their homes.The new valuation will apply for the local property tax from 2026.Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor with the Irish Independent, explained this on Wednesday’s The Last Word.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.
US President Donald Trump claimed to have "ended seven wars" and said that European countries are “going to hell” because of immigration in his address to the United Nations General AssemblyMarion McKeone and Cal Thomas join The Last Word to discuss Trump's remarks in New York and more of the latest news from the United States.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
To quote the show FRIENDS, "he was the one with the moustache."Welcome to 'Think You Know... The Presidents?' a Today FM original podcast brought to you by The Last Word.Episode 1 travels back in time to 1938, when Ireland appointed its first president. But why was Douglas Hyde chosen? What happened when WWII broke out right after his inauguration? And why did we call WWII ‘The Emergency’ here in Ireland? Join Lise Hand and Flor MacCarthy as they explore the life and times of Douglas Hyde, bringing you incredible stories and jaw dropping facts at every turn. Follow ‘Think You Know… The Presidents?’ wherever you get your podcasts.
A leprechaun sent to the White House. A bomb shelter under Dublin’s Merrion Square. A president swearing live on national radio. What do they all have in common? They’re just some of the wild, wonderful and downright bizarre stories you probably won’t have known about Ireland’s presidents. If the walls of the Áras could talk, we’d have a full-on Netflix drama on our hands. But since it can’t, two presidential experts are here to spill everything, from the president who ran the country from their bed to the one who ticked off the Pope and Stalin in one go, to the one who handed out ponies and deer as royal gifts. This is Think You Know... The Presidents? a Today FM original podcast from The Last Word. Each week, Lise Hand and Flor MacCarthy dig up the scandals and the game-changing moments from Ireland’s nine presidents, delving into how events in Ireland were shaped by their actions and how the people of Ireland felt about each sitting president at the time. Follow “Think You Know... The Presidents?” now wherever you get your podcasts.
Journalist and author, Adam Maguire, joined Matt to discuss the release of his new book “The Bailout Babies”.In it he details how people who were children during the financial crash are still feeling the effects of it a decade and a half later.Matt spoke to Adam on Tuesday’s The Last Word.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.
Second Captains co-host, Irish Times columnist and author, Ciaran Murphy, has published his second book ‘Old Parish: Notes on Hurling”.He tells the story of how despite being an avid Galway GAA fan – one of the few dual counties in Ireland – he had only ever played Gaelic football.So, in the lead up to his 42nd birthday, he decided to move to Co. Waterford and play hurling with An Sean Phobal, the club that his father played for in the 1960s.Ciaran joined Matt on Monday’s The Last Word to tell him why he felt compelled to do it.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.
Ned Guinness, the Fourth Earl Of Iveagh and the head of Guinness family, is the author of Guinness: A Family Succession.He spoke to Matt about his motivations for writing about his family and the legacy and impact of projects like the Iveagh Trust.To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.
The Caminito del Rey is a cliffside walk in Malaga, Spain with thrilling suspended walkways and spectacular views throughout.Sarah Slattery from thetravelexpert.ie joins The Last Word to chat all about it and to give her tips for anyone interested in making the trip.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
On Wednesday, it was reported that Cuala GAA had agreed a €2 million deal for a six-acre site owned by Bective Rangers rugby club.However, the availability of facilities across the capital is a constant struggle for many GAA clubs.Denis Walsh, Sportswriter with the Irish Times, reported this week that out of 412 pitches that are available for Gaelic games in Dublin, only 124 are owned by GAA clubs.He spoke to Matt about the issue on Friday’s The Last Word.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.
Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae has been criticised for suggesting a possible link between autism and vitamins; the Irish language rap-trio Kneecap have been barred from entering Canada; and US TV hosts have bitten back at US President Donald Trump after the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel.Brianna Parkins, 10 News plus reporter, and Dave Hanratty, host of the No Encore podcast, join The Last Word to discuss the week's trending stories. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
Annmarie O'Connor spoke to Matt about her book Twitch. Diagnosed at the age of 48, the book details Annmarie's experience of living with Parkinson's Disease.Having worked as a fashion editor and stylist, Annmarie spoke about coming to terms with the disease and how she has learned to adapt to live a quieter life. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.
Two political figures, Charles Haughey and Garret FitzGerald, dominated Irish politics throughout the 1980sThe rivalry between the two party leaders, who each led all of the Irish governments in that decade, was bitter and their opposing personalities shaped Irish life during this era.Eoin O’Malley, associate professor in political science in DCU, joins The Last Word to discuss his book 'Charlie Vs Garret: The Rivalry That Shaped Modern Ireland'. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
Meta has launched new smart glasses with a built-in display which CEO Mark Zuckerberg claims will unlock the AI promise of "superintelligence."Andy O'Donoghue joins The Last Word to discuss what these glasses do and whether we will all soon be wearing them.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
Acclaimed author Hugo Hamilton was the latest guest to join The Last Word’s Culture Club.Along with choosing his favourite music, TV, film and podcasts, he discussed the release of his new book ‘Conversation with the Sea’.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear all his choices.
Charlotte Blease is Associate Professor at Uppsala University in Sweden and author of Dr Bot: Why Doctors Can Fail Us and How AI Could Save Lives’.She spoke to Matt about the potential of AI as a diagnostic tool and how it could revolutionise medicine.
It may only be September, but is it already time to start saving for the expensive Christmas season? Charlie Weston, personal finance editor with Irish Independent, joins The Last Word to discuss how you can start budgeting for Christmas so that it doesn't break the bank.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
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Matt is so biased and left leaning there is no balance..
Suprised you didnt have alison o connor on matt but maybe shes exclusively rtes attack dog, as i said before what a amazing country we'd have if hacks like you pursued with the same vigor this discredited ( children's hospital 14.5000 homeless including 4000 children) rag tag "coalition" as you do the shinners, thousands marching from the service industry of which i was 1 while genocide is ongoing in the middle east but the usual tropes and the playing the man instead of the ball continues.
#Free_Palestine #Down_with_Israel
If Cal Thomas didn't have whataboutery he'd have nothing. He's a tiresome bore.
Hahaha Sarah McGuinness thinking the fake tan article had merit 😂 Absolutely delighted to see people trying to import identity politics and the makey-uppy nonsense of cultural appropriation to Ireland left with egg on their faces 😂
Jennifer Gannon - idiotic take.
couldn't hear Neale on this interview, audio very poor.
2
Sorry Eoin but Harry's game by Clannad Trumps these.. Try Nils Frahm or Olafur Arnold's
Matt well done for highlighting finally the savagery unleashed on this Irish International sports star... Hopefully the Media will continue to press the powers that be into acting and supporting James , These sectarian Neanderthal knuckledraggers have no place in a progressive Society.
Kearney's a wet towel
Episodes are annoyingly frequent