In the run up to the big day, join Today FM's Ben Finnegan as he covers what's being said across the political spectrum to help give you the best chance of being informed at the ballot box. On day 5 of the campaign we have Sinn Fein launching their housing policy, The Green Party launching their manifesto and Andrew Lowth joins Ben to discuss what …

Author and journalist Catherine Sanz joins The Last Word to discuss her book 'Drama Drives Interest: The Web Summit Story' which looks at the rise and fall, and rise again, of the massive tech event and its notorious CEO Paddy Cosgrave. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'play' button on this page!

Minister of State with responsibility for Public Procurement, eGovernment and Circular Economy and Green Party candidate Ossian Smyth and Senator Fiona O'Loughlin, Fianna Fáil candidate, join The Last Word to debate what climate actions their parties' will take if they are in the next government. Catch the full debate by pressing the 'Play' button …

Over the next three weeks politicians will be pounding the pavements, knocking on doors, kissing babies and making promises. After months of speculation - a General Election will take place in Ireland. Polling day will be Friday, November 29th. In the run up to the big day, join Today FM's Ben Finnegan as he covers what's being said across the poli…

Manchester City lost their fourth consecutive game for the first time in Pep Guardiola’s career, leaving his side 5 points adrift of Liverpool at the top of the table. How concerned should Guardiola be about City’s form, and is Liverpool’s momentum sustainable throughout the season? Miguel Delaney, Chief Football Writer with The Independent and Off…

Ireland were beaten by the All Blacks on Friday night in their opening fixture of the 2024 Autumn Internationals, ending their 19-game unbeaten run at the Aviva Stadium. Matt was joined by Paul Wallace and Will O’Callaghan from Off The Ball to discuss how Andy Farrell's side will look to bounce back against Argentina and the lack of atmosphere insi…

In the first of our election debates, Eoin Ó Broin, housing spokesperson for Sinn Féin, and Paschal Donohoe, Minister for Public Expenditure and Fine Gael housing spokesperson, joined Matt to debate the housing crisis, which remains the biggest issue for many voters heading to the polls on November 29th. To catch the full debate, press the 'play' b…

Fine Gael is scrambling to limit the fallout after controversial comments Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary made about teachers at a party event. Daniel McConnell, editor of the Business Post, joins The Last Word to discuss what's been going on in the first few days of the general election campaign. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on t…

Donnacha O'Callaghan is best known for his triumphs on the pitch, but he is a self-proclaimed Disaster Dad! He joined Alison Curtis on Weekend Breakfast to chat about his new book 'Disaster Dad', Ireland's rugby success in recent years and why his first time having tapas did NOT go to plan!

Orla Ryan from TheJournal.ie and Eoghan Tomás McDermott, Managing Director at the Communications Clinic, join Matt to discuss the big news stories of the week. Donald Trump’s victory hailed as ‘the biggest political comeback in US history,’ General Election 2024 gets underway at home, and fans clash in Amsterdam after Ajax vs Maccabi Tel Aviv tie. …

The 2024 general election is officially underway with just three weeks until polling day on Friday, November 29. Gary Murphy, professor of politics at the School of Law and Government in DCU, Sarah Carey, columnist with the Irish Independent, and Daniel McConnell, editor of the Business Post, join The Last Word to discuss the issues that could defi…

Miguel Delaney, Chief Football Writer with The Independent, has released his new book “States of Play: How Sportswashing Took Over Football”. It looks at how modern football has never been more powerful, yet the injection of money into the sport is creating a host of issues on a global scale. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear his chat with…

After Donald Trump was elected as the 47th US President this week, environmental campaigners have expressed concerns about his impact on attempts to tackle climate change. Environmental commentator John Gibbons joined Matt to discuss this on Thursday’s The Last Word. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.…

Andy O'Donoghue joins The Last Word to talk about the best home sound system tech to elevate your listening experience. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Eoghan Murphy was Minister for Housing from 2017 to 2020 and it was a tenure that received widespread criticism as homeless figures continued to rise and the housing crisis worsened. He has released his book “Running from Office: Confessions of Ambition and Failure in Politics” about his time in government and on Thursday, he joined Matt on The Las…

Ian Guider, columnist with the Business Post, joins The Last Word to discuss what impact Donald Trump's US presidential victory will have on the economy in Ireland, Europe and the rest of the world. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Donald Trump has been elected US president for a second time, making a remarkable comeback from his loss against Joe Biden in 2020. Marion McKeone, US correspondent for the Business Post, Cal Thomas, nationally syndicated columnist, and Larry Donnelly, law lecturer at University of Galway and political columnist with TheJournal.ie, join The Last Wo…

Matt was joined by Gary Murphy, Professor of Politics at the School of Law and Government in DCU and Danny McConnell, Editor, Business Post, to discuss the impact of Donald Trump's victory for Irish politics, trade and security. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

As millions head to the polls in the United States the knife-edge presidential election is still all to play for. Cal Thomas, nationally syndicated US columnist, and Marion McKeone, US correspondent for the Business Post, join The Last Word to assess each candidate's performance in the final days of the campaign and concerns about violence over ele…

Lawrence Donegan, author of the ‘GoodbyeDonald?’ Substack blog spoke to The Last Word live from Mar-a-Lago in Florida to give an update on the feeling on the ground as voting continues in the 2024 US Presidential race. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear his chat with Matt.

The cap on passenger numbers at Dublin Airport, which was due to come into effect next summer, is set to be paused after a decision by the High Court on Monday. Ian Guider joined Matt for The Last Word’s daily business news to explain the decision. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.…

Sarah Carey, Columnist at the Irish Independent, Gary Murphy, Professor of Politics at the School of Law and Government in DCU and Louise Burne, Political Correspondent with the Irish Mirror spoke to Matt about how the coming weeks could play out for each political party once the general election is called. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hea…

Russell Alford, co-restaurant critic with The Sunday Times and one half of the Gastro Gays, returns to The Last Word to discuss more of his favourite foodie travel destinations. This time he talks about the best food and restaurants in Seoul, South Korea and Chicago in the US. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!…

US presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump spent the weekend making last ditch efforts to drum up support before polling day. With just one day to go, Larry Donnelly, law lecturer at the University of Galway and political columnist with The Journal, joins The Last Word to asses each of the candidates' chances and what could happen on…

Seven-time All-Ireland winner with Kilkenny Richie Hogan has released his new autobiography, “What It Takes”. He joined Matt to talk about his career that lasted almost two decades, infamous run-ins with teammates at training and what it’s like to be in the pundit’s chair after so much time spent as a player. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to h…

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael appear to have joined forces to block a strategy from the Green Party, which includes new anti-pollution taxes for motorists, just before the general election is called. Tabitha Monahan, political reporter with the Irish Independent, and Brian Leddin, Green Party TD for Limerick City, join The Last Word to discuss. Listen …

Dave Hanratty, host of the No Encore podcast and Voices Editor and Podcast Producer with TheJournal.ie, Laura Byrne, joined Matt on Friday for The Week Trending. Up for discussion was the fake Halloween parade on O’Connell Street, Michael Healy Rae’s use of a Taylor Swift deepfake ahead of the general election and Saoirse Ronan’s viral moment on la…

In the final days of the US presidential election, the race is on a knife edge as Donald Trump and Kamala Harris focus on getting as many people out to vote as possible. Cal Thomas, nationally syndicated US columnist, and Marion McKeone, US correspondent with the Business Post, join The Last Word to discuss why the race is so close, Trump's promise…

There’s huge Irish interest in the big screen this week as the hotly anticipated ‘Small Things Like These’ starring Cillian Murphy and Eileen Walsh hits cinemas. Also due for release this weekend is Steve McQueen’s latest film ‘Blitz’, set during World War II and starring Saoirse Ronan. Roe McDermott, Movies Editor with Hotpress, joined Matt to giv…

Andy O'Donoghue joins The Last Word to discuss a range of devices that allow viewers to get the best out of their streaming services. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

The death toll in Spain has surpassed 150 people after parts of Valencia saw a year’s worth of rainfall in eight hours. Environmental commentator John Gibbons joined Matt to explain how climate change has an impact on extreme weather events. Press the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.…

We’re just 5 days away from the US election, and both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have headed to the western states in their final attempts to sway voters in their favour. Lawrence Donegan, Author of the ‘GoodbyeDonald?’ Substack blog and US-based journalist Dave Hannigan joined Matt to continue The Last Word’s countdown to November 5th. Hit the…

Broadcasting legend Marty Whelan was this week’s inductee into The Last Word’s Culture Club. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear his choices.

Britain had its first budget under the new Labour government today and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves set out a plan to raise £40 billion in taxes as she promised to "fix the foundations" of the economy. Ian Guider, columnist with the Business Post, joins The Last Word to asses the UK budget and discuss more of the day's business news. C…

Matt spoke to journalist, producer and author Trevor Birney about his book Shooting Crows. The book details his arrest and investigation over his documentary from 2017 on the collusion between the RUC and Loyalists in the Loughlinisland Massacre. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.…

Munster have confirmed the departure of head coach Graham Rowntree following a poor start in the season for the club. Liam Toland, former Munster and Leinster player, joins The Last Word to discuss Rowntree's shock exit and what's next for Munster. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.…

A comedian at a Donald Trump rally in New York's Madison Square Garden called Puerto Rico "a floating island of garbage" sparking outrage amongst both Democrats and Republicans. Cal Thomas, nationally syndicated US columnist, and Marion McKeone, US correspondent with the Business Post, join The Last Word just one week out from polling day in the US…

Nicola Tallant, Investigations Editor at the Sunday World, has released her new book “Web Of Betrayal: Murder In Ireland’s Brutal Gangland”, which looks at the murder of Robbie Lawlor and gives an insight into the infamous gangland feud in Drogheda, Co. Louth. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear her chat with Matt.…

It's so close to Halloween now and if there's one thing you've got to do at this time of year, it's watching horror films! Whether you need a film for all the family or reminders of a couple of classics, Gordon Hayden has got you covered. He hosts a horror movies podcast and gives us his recommendations - including a film that's celebrating its 40t…

Traders in Dublin city centre are taking a High Court challenge over traffic measures introduced by the city council in August. Ian Guider, columnist with the Business Post, joins The Last Word to discuss this and more of the day's business news, including the Irish business man who wants to be the next chief executive of fashion brand Boohoo. Catc…

A new survey has found that Dublin is the second most expensive city in Europe. The clocks are going back this weekend, but should they? And King Charles was heckled while visiting Australia. Roe McDermott, advice columnist with the Irish Times, and Kieran Cunningham, chief sports writer with the Irish Daily Star, join The Last Word to discuss the …

With 11 days to go until America goes to the polls, Bruce Springsteen is the latest celebrity to endorse Kamala Harris for the presidency. He appeared at her rally in Georgia on Thursday night, which drew approximately 20,000 people. Larry Donnelly, law lecturer at the University of Galway and political columnist with TheJournal.ie Marion McKeone, …

Writers Kevin Barry, Edel Coffey, Christine Bohan, Conor Niland and Bert Wright from the An Post Irish Book Awards joined Matt as he unveiled the nominees for this year's Last Word Listeners' Choice category. They also discussed the importance of the awards and why Ireland is a literary powerhouse. To listen to the full conversation, press the 'pla…

John Gibbons returned for The Last Word’s weekly environment slot on Thursday. Up for discussion was the success of the deposit return scheme, whether nature’s carbon sink is failing, the Climate Change Advisory Council’s warning that Ireland could face an €8bn fine by 2030 if we fail to meet our climate targets and the effectiveness of disruptive …

There's bad news for drivers as road tolls will rise on motorways once again next year, the fourth increase since 2022. Geraldine Herbert, motoring editor with the Sunday Independent, joins The Last Word to discuss why tolls are increasing and also the further rollout of average speed cameras on Irish roads. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Pla…

The number of job vacancies has fallen significantly in the past year according two new reports looking at the Irish jobs market. Ian Guider joins The Last Word to discuss this and more of the day's business news. Catch the full conversation by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

The Swing Cats frontman Luke Thomas, who will be performing alongside Una Healy at this year’s Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, joined Matt for this week’s Culture Club. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear his choices.

From social setting to price point, Brigid O’Hora, author of ‘The Home Sommelier’, knows exactly what to look for when picking up the perfect bottle of wine. On Wednesday, she joined Matt on The Last Word to share some tips. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.

Veterinary surgeon Noel Fitzpatrick, aka the Supervet, joins The Last Word to discuss his new book 'Dogs And Their Humans' which tells the stories of healing and hope from his surgery and explores the unique relationship between dogs and the people that care for them. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!…

The tragic death of former One Direction singer Liam Payne has raised questions in the music industry about the duty of care for young artists. Former boyband singer Robbie Williams and former X-Factor contestant Katie Waissel are among those who have raised concerns about the care and support provided to musicians in the industry. John Caddell and…