The Traveller families who live in Saint Rita's are on borrowed time. In just a week they will be evicted by the local council, threatening not only their homes but also their history and the stories that have shaped them.

Charlene, a proud young beoir suffers a humiliating betrayal. Her mother, Kate, is left to navigate unbearable loss while holding the family together. Her cousin, Sheena, strives to find her place in a new environment that is quick to dismiss her. Her uncle Tommy fights despair as his teenage son spirals out of control.

As eviction day draws closer, the families struggle to preserve their dignity finding strength in one another as they navigate an unknown future. Unflinching, Contentious Spaces is a haunting story about identity and loyalty, shame and resilience, grief and love, and the defiant power of voices that refuse to be silenced.

"A beautiful and disturbing book on the reality of so many Travellers' lives. The humanity and the dignity of the characters in spite of their struggles shone through, and this, I believe, is a true reflection of most Travellers I know." - Anne Burke

About the Author

Rosaleen McDonagh is a writer, playwright, performer, columnist for The Irish Times and a member of Aosdana. Her plays include The Baby Doll Project , She's Not Mine , Rings , The Prettiest Proud Boy and Mainstream . She is the author of Unsettled (Skein Press, 2021), which was a finalist for the Michel Deon Prize, Dalkey Literary Award and AnPost Irish Book Awards. Rosaleen holds a BA, two MPhils from Trinity College Dublin and a PhD from Northumbria University. She is a board member of Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre and was appointed a Human Rights Commissioner in June 2020.

Book Information
ISBN 9781915017130
Author Rosaleen McDonagh
Format Paperback
Imprint Skein Press
Publisher Skein Press
Weight(grams) 192g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 10mm