Gypsy Girl

A young girl s struggle to belong.

Rosie is an Irish Traveller, who grew up moving all over England and Ireland. She didn't find out her date of birth until she was 17 and didn't learn to read or write until she was well into her 30s.

Rosie s early childhood could be idyllic free from the restrictions and routine of school, she and the other Traveller children would run wild in the fields surrounding their caravans. By the time she was eight she could identify every wild bird that flew in the area.

Discrimination was never far away though and the family would be refused entry into shops and cafes. One woman even bleached the pavement every time they walked past.

When Rosie was 14, the family s happiness was shattered when her grandfather, who was known as the 'King of the Gypsies', was killed. Thousands flocked from all over England, Ireland and even America to attend his funeral.

Her mother plunged into a deep depression and became an alcoholic. Rosie was the eldest daughter of ten children and she was forced to fill her mother s shoes and raise the little ones. She ran away from home at 17 to marry a fellow traveller, thinking he would be her escape route, but sadly he was battling his own demons...

“Touching, insightful, funny and incredibly shocking ****'”

Praise for Gypsy Boy: -- ... 'It was a revelation. Moving, terrifying, funny and brilliant. I shall never forget it - an amazing achievement' -- Stephen Fry ' -- HEAT 'Mikey Walsh's memoirs were an unexpected smash hit last year and the audiobook version is every bit as enjoyable.' -- HEAT

Rosie McKinley was born to an Irish Traveller family and ran away at the age of 17 to marry a fellow Traveller. She has five children and lives in Ireland.

A young girl s struggle to belong.Rosie is an Irish Traveller, who grew up moving all over England and Ireland. She didn't find out her date of birth until she was 17 and didn't learn to read or write until she was well into her 30s.Rosie s early childhood could be idyllic free from the restrictions and routine of school, she and the other Traveller children would run wild in the fields surrounding their caravans. By the time she was eight she could identify every wild bird that flew in the area.Discrimination was never far away though and the family would be refused entry into shops and cafes. One woman even bleached the pavement every time they walked past.When Rosie was 14, the family s happiness was shattered when her grandfather, who was known as the 'King of the Gypsies', was killed. Thousands flocked from all over England, Ireland and even America to attend his funeral.Her mother plunged into a deep depression and became an alcoholic. Rosie was the eldest daughter of ten children and she was forced to fill her mother s shoes and raise the little ones. She ran away from home at 17 to marry a fellow traveller, thinking he would be her escape route, but sadly he was battling his own demons...

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