The Last Word with Matt Cooper

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!

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. 

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. 

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.