The Last Word with Matt Cooper

Minister for Sport Patrick O’Donovan has said that the government expects a request for additional funding to address hospitality and infrastructure needs in Adare, Co. Limerick, ahead of the village hosting the Ryder Cup in 2027.The event is due to be held at Adare Manor, the luxury hotel owned by businessman JP McManus.Brian Carroll, author and Irish Times contributor, explained the story to Matt on Monday’s The Last Word.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.

'Intensive Care: True Stories of Healing , Heartache and Hope from Inside Irish Children's Medicine' is a memoir from Dr Suzanne Crowe, consultant in paediatric intensive care medicine and president of the Irish Medical Council. The book details the enormous challenges faced by health staff who are dealing with incredibly vulnerable patients as well as the wonderful moments that can happen between doctors, patients and their families.Dr Suzanne Crowe joins The Last Word to discuss these stories and how her own tragedy has informed her work.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Are you thinking of booking a trip at the end of the year to beat the winter blues?Sarah Slattery from TheTravelExpert.ie has some suggestions for you to get the best value for your money, whether you want some winter sun, a trip to the slopes, or a bucket list holiday to see the Northern Lights!Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.

Former Met Éireann forecaster Joanna Donnelly rules herself out of running for President of Ireland while MMA fighter Conor McGregor formally seeks nomination; the cost of Dublin parking permits increases fourfold; & counterfeit Labubus are seized over safety concerns.Larry Donnelly and Emily Keegan join The Last Word to discuss the week's trending stories.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Minister for Arts, Culture and Sport Patrick O'Donovan has accused hoteliers of "robbing people up to their eyeballs" and has warned the industry that a promised cut in the hospitality VAT rate in October's Budget is not guaranteed.Paul Gallagher, chief executive of the Irish Hotels Federation, and Eoghan Corry, travel journalist with travelextra.ie, join The Last Word to discuss the Minister's claim that hotels are price gouging consumers.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Nick Ferrari, Presenter of Nick Ferrari At Breakfast on LBC, discussed the arrest of writer Graham Linehan on suspicion of inciting violence with X posts and his court appearance on separate harassment allegation. He also explained the impetus behind the Raise The Colours campaign in the UK that has seen the flying of Union Jacks and St George's Crosses around the country.To catch the full conversation press the play button on this page.

New research has found that dark coloured cars can make streets noticeably hotter and that the effect, when multiplied, can shift air temperatures in neighbourhoods and cities.John Gibbons joins The Last Word to discuss this and more climate news including podcaster Joe Rogan's claim that the earth is cooling.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Tech journalist Andy O’Donoghue joined Matt on Thursday’s The Last Word to talk through all the best health and fitness tech that’s on the market.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.

Myles O'Reilly, musician and filmmaker, spoke to Matt about working with President Michael D Higgins on his spoken-word album, Against All Certainty.He also discussed his favourite music, films, TV shows and books that have influenced his own work and life.To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

Norma Foley, Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, outlined the newly launched National Human Rights Strategy For Disabled People 2025-2030.The minister also addressed the case a young boy in Donabate, missing, presumed dead.Tulsa had previously engaged with the boy and his family.To catch the full conversation, press the play button on this page.