#85: Rosaleen McDonagh - Unsettled: Life on the Margins

Before I started recording this powerful conversation Rosaleen McDonagh, she rightly bashed me for not reading her book ‘Unsettled’ which was published last year. I can now say that I have read it and I’m blown away. Commenting on a piece of work like this is so hard because so often I was left speechless but the manner in which she describes the injustices she experienced as a traveller woman with cerebral palsy is profound, even more profound is her pride and love of herself and her family and community. I can’t think of a book that forced me to pause and contemplate after each chapter quite like this. I don’t think it’s hyperbole to say that it's a miracle she’s still here and I’m so glad she is.

For those unfamiliar, Rosaleen is an Irish playwright, performer and columnist for the Irish Times. She holds a BA, two Masters in Philosophy from Trinity College 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 2020.

This intense podcast covers grief, the shadow side of activism, the role James Baldwin’s work played in her development as a human and a writer. We also discuss Rosaleen’s relationship with her Cerebral Palsy, the hierarchy present within the mental health discussion, the impact of othering that travellers experience on their mental health and more. She also gave perhaps the most touching combination of ways she takes care of her mental health that we’ve had on this podcast. This is undoubtedly one of the most memorable conversations I’ve had over the last few years, and I thank Rosaleen a lot for her time and kindness. Her book ‘Unsettled’ is in all good bookstores and you can find her on Twitter with the link below.

Thanks for listening!

https://twitter.com/paveebeoir