Rosaleen McDonagh: Contentious Spaces‌

Time and date

Sunday 12 July 2026

5:00 pm

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Rosaleen McDonagh’s debut novel Contentious Spaces‌ delves into the inner lives of Traveller families on a site in Dublin over the course of one crucial week when they are due to be evicted by the local council, threatening not only their homes but also their history and the stories that have shaped themUnflinching, 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. 

Admission: €16

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.  

Writer

Rosaleen McDonagh

Rosaleen McDonagh is a writer, playwright, performer and a member of Aosdána. Her plays include The Baby Doll Project, She's Not Mine, Rings, The Prettiest Proud Boy and Mainstream. Her...

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