The Last Word with Matt Cooper

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 discuss Hit play on this page to listen now

There have been numerous incidents of anti-social behaviour and vandalism in parks around Dublin this year with calls for greater presence of guards and other measures to tackle the issue. Matt is joined by Dublin City Council's Chair of Planning and Urban Regeneration committee Cian Farrell and Criminologist Trina O'Connor to discuss. Hit play on this page to listen now

If you're thinking of upgrading your TV or introducing a soundbar into your living room, The Last Word's tech expert Andy O'Donoghue has all the best tips and tricks for what to look for. Hit the 'Play' button on this page to listen to his chat with Matt.

Former Munster and Ireland international rugby player Donncha O'Callaghan is this weeks Culture Club. Matt hears all about his new children's book Disaster Dad: Fun Day Fiasco and his Culture Club picks. Hit Play on this page to listen now

Comedian, podcaster and television personality Jarlath Regan sits down with Matt to discuss his new book The Gobshite Guidebook: A Survival Manual. They talk the best ways to deal with the gobshites you encounter in life. Hit Play on this page to listen now.

63% of young people come across extremist views online, compared to just 6% in real life, according to a new study from the Ombudsman for Children’s Office. Dr Darragh McCashin, from DCU's Anti-Bullying centre, and Noeline Blackwell, online safety coordinator with the Children’s Rights Alliance, join The Last Word to discuss the survey which also found that boys are perceived to be more likely to express extreme views and that sentiment around a return to so-called ‘traditional’ gender roles is gaining traction Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor with The Independent, discusses the findings of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission survey on Christmas spending, including statistics on who hasn't used last year's vouchers and also how much people intend to spend this year. Charlie also looks at the rise in people taking out health insurance cover despite price increases. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

Dee Reddy and John Caddell discuss the latest music news including the first acts announced for Electric Picnic 2026, Daniel O'Donnell's planned sabbatical, and they have their music picks of the week. To catch the full conversation, press the play button on this page.

The Trump administration is under pressure for answers about military strikes on suspected Venezuelan drug boats, after a report alleged that United States Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth issued an order to "kill everybody" onboard. Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone join The Last Word to discuss this and more of the latest news from the US. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Acclaimed author and screenwriter John Banville sits down with Matt to discuss his new book Venetian Vespers. They also discuss his extensive career in writing Hit Play on this page to catch the full chat

This week on the Last Word on TV & Streaming Elaine Burke, Joe O'Shea and Matt discuss the death of TV presenter and architect Hugh Wallace They also discuss the forthcoming Late Late Toy Show and much more Hit Play on this page to listen now

Dublin City Council will discuss a proposal to de-name Herzog Park, named after the former Israeli president. There have also been discussions about re-naming Dublin Airport, raising questions about whether de-naming property is a good idea or indeed if naming buildings after people is a good idea at all. Matt is joined by Associate Professor of Political Science in DCU Eoin O’Malley and historian and lecturer in gender studies at UCD Dr Mary McAuliffe to discuss. Hit Play on this page to listen now

Russell Alford, co-restaurant critic with the Sunday Times and one half of the GastroGays, joins The Last Word to chat about more of his top travel destinations for those in search of great food. This time he is bringing us to Stockholm where specialties include Swedish meatballs and cardamom buns and then to Berlin for currywurst and kebabs. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Pulitzer-nominated author Timothy Gay sits down with Matt to talk about his new book Rory Land: The Up-and-Down World of Golf's Global Icon. In it he tells the story of one of golf's biggest stars off the back of his incredible sporting year. Hit Play on this page to listen now

A new investigation puts Penneys clothing to the test; the US Department of Transportation urges air travellers to dress better and be more civil; and the story of the runaway nuns. Aoife Barry, broadcaster and author, and Paddy Duffy, TV producer, join The Last Word to discuss the week's trending stories. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Actor, playwright and activist Emmet Kirwan joins Matt in studio to talk about Focus Ireland's Christmas Campaign: No Child Without a Home. Along with being an ambassador for that this Christmas he is also starring in the The Gate theatre's production of A Christmas Carol Hit Play on this page to catch the full chat now

Ireland's birth rate has fallen by 20% in just 11 years according a new report from the HSE which shows 53,185 babies were born last year compared to 67,263 in 2014. Dr Carmel Hannan, associate professor in the Department of Sociology at University of Limerick, and Dan O’Brien, chief economist at the Institute of International and European Affairs, join The Last Word to discuss why birth rates continue to fall and what economic and social challenges are created by this. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!