#ContentiousSpaces
LightNews LightNews
skeinpress.bsky.social
Unveiling our first publication of 2026...

'Contentious Spaces' is the debut novel from acclaimed Irish writer, playwright and performer Rosaleen McDonagh

#ContentiousSpaces #NewIrishFiction
December 3, 2025 at 10:27 AM
skeinpress.bsky.social
Huge thanks to @maireadhearne.bsky.social for this engaged and effusive review of #ContentiousSpaces
maireadhearne.bsky.social Mairéad Hearne | Swirl and Thread Book Blog @maireadhearne.bsky.social · Mar 16
A stirring, uncompromising and authentic read

#ContentiousSpaces by Rosaleen McDonagh

'The Traveller families who live in Saint Rita’s are on borrowed time'

OUT NOW w/ @skeinpress.bsky.social

Read my review:
www.swirlandthread.com/contentious-...

#booksky #spéirgorm #bookreview
Cover of Contentious Spaces by Rosaleen McDonagh
March 16, 2026 at 2:01 PM
maireadhearne.bsky.social
A stirring, uncompromising and authentic read

#ContentiousSpaces by Rosaleen McDonagh

'The Traveller families who live in Saint Rita’s are on borrowed time'

OUT NOW w/ @skeinpress.bsky.social

Read my review:
www.swirlandthread.com/contentious-...

#booksky #spéirgorm #bookreview
Cover of Contentious Spaces by Rosaleen McDonagh
March 16, 2026 at 12:34 PM
skeinpress.bsky.social
'This is a tour de force that shows how a resilient Traveller culture has survived despite racism and its quieter cousin, segregation.'

Thanks to @katharineq.bsky.social for a wonderfully in-depth review of #ContentiousSpaces

Read in full: www.thetablet.co.uk/books/betwee...
Between two worlds - The Tablet
ROSALEEN MCDONAGH
www.thetablet.co.uk
June 4, 2026 at 8:48 AM
bluemoodcafe.bsky.social
#BookReview of #ContentiousSpaces by Rosaleen McDonagh | @skeinpress.bsky.social www.swirlandthread.com/contentious-... via @maireadhearne.bsky.social
Contentious Spaces by Rosaleen McDonagh | Review
Contentious Spaces is the debut novel from Rosaleen McDonagh (March 2026) and is described as 'unflinching...a haunting story'
www.swirlandthread.com
March 17, 2026 at 1:50 PM
skeinpress.bsky.social
Did you catch Rosaleen McDonagh on @2fm.rte.ie Mornings with the brilliant Doireann Garrihy ? They spoke about writing process, representation and of course #ContentiousSpaces

Listen back: www.rte.ie/radio/2fm/2f...

We're at the 28 minute mark 📻
June 4, 2026 at 8:33 AM
skeinpress.bsky.social
Huge thanks to everyone who joined us for the launch of #ContentiousSpaces by Dr Rosaleen McDonagh last night

It was a remarkably powerful evening in celebration of a truly remarkable writer 💫
March 13, 2026 at 2:22 PM
noveldeelights.bsky.social
“A stirring, uncompromising and authentic read”

#BookReview of #ContentiousSpaces by Rosaleen McDonagh www.swirlandthread.com/contentious-... - via @maireadhearne.bsky.social 💙📚
Contentious Spaces by Rosaleen McDonagh | Review
Contentious Spaces is the debut novel from Rosaleen McDonagh (March 2026) and is described as 'unflinching...a haunting story'
www.swirlandthread.com
March 17, 2026 at 8:52 AM
jenlucas.bsky.social
#BookReview of #ContentiousSpaces by Rosaleen McDonagh | @skeinpress.bsky.social www.swirlandthread.com/contentious-...

From @maireadhearne.bsky.social
Contentious Spaces by Rosaleen McDonagh | Review
Contentious Spaces is the debut novel from Rosaleen McDonagh (March 2026) and is described as 'unflinching...a haunting story'
www.swirlandthread.com
March 16, 2026 at 10:15 PM
lindasbookbag.bsky.social
#BookReview of #ContentiousSpaces by Rosaleen McDonagh | @skeinpress.bsky.social www.swirlandthread.com/contentious-... @maireadhearne.bsky.social
Contentious Spaces by Rosaleen McDonagh | Review
Contentious Spaces is the debut novel from Rosaleen McDonagh (March 2026) and is described as 'unflinching...a haunting story'
www.swirlandthread.com
March 16, 2026 at 1:25 PM
clairekreads.bsky.social
#BookReview of #ContentiousSpaces by Rosaleen McDonagh | @skeinpress.bsky.social www.swirlandthread.com/contentious-... from @maireadhearne.bsky.social
Contentious Spaces by Rosaleen McDonagh | Review
Contentious Spaces is the debut novel from Rosaleen McDonagh (March 2026) and is described as 'unflinching...a haunting story'
www.swirlandthread.com
March 17, 2026 at 6:46 AM
shortbookandscribes.uk
On @maireadhearne.bsky.social

#BookReview of #ContentiousSpaces by Rosaleen McDonagh | @skeinpress.bsky.social www.swirlandthread.com/contentious-...
Contentious Spaces by Rosaleen McDonagh | Review
Contentious Spaces is the debut novel from Rosaleen McDonagh (March 2026) and is described as 'unflinching...a haunting story'
www.swirlandthread.com
March 16, 2026 at 6:27 PM
skeinpress.bsky.social
Some more photos from Thursday's launch of 'Contentious Spaces', courtesy of the brilliant @paulageraghty.bsky.social 👏

Thank you again to all who joined us!

#ContentiousSpaces is available to order via our website: skeinpress.com/product/cont...
Sinead Burke onstage with Rosaleen McDonagh Rosaleen, wearing a red suit and pink framed glasses, smiling Anne Burke holding a microphone and smiling The crowd, seated amongst bookshelves
March 16, 2026 at 12:01 PM
cat-ryan12.bsky.social
#BookReview of #ContentiousSpaces by Rosaleen McDonagh | @skeinpress.bsky.social

'A stirring, uncompromising and authentic read' writes @maireadhearne.bsky.social

www.swirlandthread.com/contentious-...
Contentious Spaces by Rosaleen McDonagh | Review
Contentious Spaces is the debut novel from Rosaleen McDonagh (March 2026) and is described as 'unflinching...a haunting story'
www.swirlandthread.com
March 17, 2026 at 10:37 AM
maireadhearne.bsky.social
An uncompromising and authentic debut!

#BookReview of #ContentiousSpaces by Rosaleen McDonagh | @skeinpress.bsky.social www.swirlandthread.com/contentious-...
#booksky #spéirgorm
Contentious Spaces by Rosaleen McDonagh | Review
Contentious Spaces is the debut novel from Rosaleen McDonagh (March 2026) and is described as 'unflinching...a haunting story'
www.swirlandthread.com
March 16, 2026 at 8:50 PM
alifeinbooks.bsky.social
#BookReview of #ContentiousSpaces by Rosaleen McDonagh | @skeinpress.bsky.social www.swirlandthread.com/contentious-...
Contentious Spaces by Rosaleen McDonagh | Review
Contentious Spaces is the debut novel from Rosaleen McDonagh (March 2026) and is described as 'unflinching...a haunting story'
www.swirlandthread.com
March 17, 2026 at 12:18 PM
fictionophile.bsky.social
#BookReview of #ContentiousSpaces by Rosaleen McDonagh | @skeinpress.bsky.social www.swirlandthread.com/contentious-...
Contentious Spaces by Rosaleen McDonagh | Review
Contentious Spaces is the debut novel from Rosaleen McDonagh (March 2026) and is described as 'unflinching...a haunting story'
www.swirlandthread.com
March 19, 2026 at 7:35 PM
skeinpress.bsky.social
So lovely to see #ContentiousSpaces making its way to readers 💜
March 10, 2026 at 12:19 PM
bookescapesblog.bsky.social
#BookReview of #ContentiousSpaces by Rosaleen McDonagh | @skeinpress.bsky.social www.swirlandthread.com/contentious-... via @maireadhearne.bsky.social
Contentious Spaces by Rosaleen McDonagh | Review
Contentious Spaces is the debut novel from Rosaleen McDonagh (March 2026) and is described as 'unflinching...a haunting story'
www.swirlandthread.com
March 16, 2026 at 1:30 PM
nickimags.bsky.social
"A stirring, uncompromising and authentic read, Contentious Spaces is a profound and compassionate debut, one I highly recommend."

#BookReview of #ContentiousSpaces by Rosaleen McDonagh from @maireadhearne.bsky.social

@skeinpress.bsky.social #booksky
Contentious Spaces by Rosaleen McDonagh | Review
Contentious Spaces is the debut novel from Rosaleen McDonagh (March 2026) and is described as 'unflinching...a haunting story'
www.swirlandthread.com
March 16, 2026 at 1:02 PM
skeinpress.bsky.social
‘Rosaleen McDonagh is a writer of huge and vivacious talent and this is a brilliant novel, so vivid and urgent and addictive.’ – Kevin Barry

Launching in March 2026, you can pre-order now via our website: skeinpress.com/product/cont...

#ContentiousSpaces #NewIrishFiction
Contentious Spaces
‘Rosaleen McDonagh is a writer of huge and vivacious talent and this is a brilliant novel, so vivid and urgent and addictive.’ – Kevin Barry
skeinpress.com
December 3, 2025 at 10:27 AM
tinyicklejo.bsky.social
"A stirring, uncompromising and authentic read"

#BookReview of #ContentiousSpaces by Rosaleen McDonagh | @skeinpress.bsky.social www.swirlandthread.com/contentious-... via @maireadhearne.bsky.social
Contentious Spaces by Rosaleen McDonagh | Review
Contentious Spaces is the debut novel from Rosaleen McDonagh (March 2026) and is described as 'unflinching...a haunting story'
www.swirlandthread.com
March 17, 2026 at 6:18 PM
skeinpress.bsky.social
📣 Rosaleen McDonagh will be in conversation with the brilliant Maureen Kennelly as part of this year's #KilkennyArtsFestival

Join us on 7 August in the Parade Tower, Kilkenny City for a deep dive into #ContentiousSpaces

Tickets here: www.kilkennyarts.ie/festival/pro...
Rosaleen McDonagh | Kilkenny Arts Festival | 6-16 August 2026
Writer, playwright, performer and Human Rights Commissioner Rosaleen McDonagh comes to the Festival to talk about her new novel, Contentious Spaces, in the company of Maureen Kennelly.
www.kilkennyarts.ie
June 17, 2026 at 11:28 AM
skeinpress.bsky.social
Read an extract from 'Contentious Spaces', the groundbreaking novel from #RosaleenMcDonagh on @rte.ie. Thanks to #DerekOConnor for featuring it!

Read more here: www.rte.ie/culture/2026...

Available in your local bookshop!

#ContentiousSpaces #BookRecommendation
Contentious Spaces by Rosaleen McDonagh - read an extract
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 ...
www.rte.ie
March 20, 2026 at 11:25 AM
skeinpress.bsky.social
Kilkenny Arts Festival kicks off next Thursday and runs for 10 jam packed days ✨

You can find the singular Rosaleen McDonagh in conversation with Maureen Kennelly on Friday 7 August at 5pm

#ContentiousSpaces

Tickets available here: www.kilkennyarts.ie/.../programm...
www.kilkennyarts.ie
July 29, 2026 at 10:24 AM