In this weeks The Third Degree, Paul Bradley speaks to Saskia Lévy-Rodgers on why she swapped Lyon for Tory Island.

Hi Saskia, thank you for the interview. Could you tell us a little about yourself, please?

Hi! I’m from Lyon, France, a beautiful city with a vibrant cultural life. I studied Anthropology and the Philosophy of Art at the University of Lyon 2.

Loving the beauty of Donegal – Saskia Lévy-Rodgers.

You came from France to Tory Island initially as part of a thesis, but you met your future husband, Michael, and stayed. Was it a hard decision to make? Do you have a kind of friendly celebrity status there now?

The decision wasn’t immediate. It took a few years of coming and going, and having our first child, before I chose to stay. I do love island life, though I know it’s not for everyone. I think you’re either made for it or not.

It’s a life that requires a busy mind and busy hands. I am getting recognition for my work, and I am honoured for this. As for this interview and the opportunity to talk about my work, thank you.

Your thesis included witchcraft – was there a particular Tory history of that?

Initially, I wanted to base my Masters thesis on witchcraft practices, inspired by the story of the Cursing Stone on the island. But once I arrived, I realised most of those practices had faded out. So I shifted my focus to how the community uses art to draw attention to the island on the international stage, as a way to secure essential services and recognition.

Do you see similarities between Lyon and Donegal or Tory?

Strangely enough, yes. Lyon is surrounded by two rivers — the Rhône and the Saône — making it feel almost like an island. But more interestingly, the original name of Lyon is Lugdunum, Latin for “hill of the god Lugh.” And Tory Island is said to be the place where Lugh was conceived and later defeated Balor.

I’d love to build a cultural bridge between Lyon and Tory, it could open up a fascinating new stream of tourism and creativity.

If we’re talking about lifestyle, though, they are very different. One thing I immediately loved about Donegal and Tory is how people genuinely connect with others. They love conversation, meeting new people. There’s a kind of natural confidence in their identity — they don’t feel the need to pretend or play a role. They’re simply themselves.

You’ve written books on Tory placenames and Irish expressions. Have those subjects always interested you?

Definitely. I published a book this year on Irish proverbs, which I see as distilled wisdom passed down through generations. We all need guidance, but modern life often leaves us overwhelmed by information, expectations, and global affairs. Many of us feel lost, and that’s why nostalgia has become such a global mood.

Across the Western world, people are looking to the past as a place of clarity. In those proverbs, I found a kind of life coaching like torches in the dark.

My greatest pride, though, is S’Tory Book, a collection of stories from the island. I gathered memories from people here and blended them with my reflections. I wanted to preserve a slice of Tory’s cultural heritage for my children — and to share the quiet wisdom within these stories.

One of Saskia’s works – ‘Stories from Tory Island’

As someone learning both English and Irish, was that difficult? Were there any phrases that echoed French sayings?

I’ve been trying to learn Irish for years, and I still can’t speak it, but I understand a lot of it.

Irish is inherently poetic. It communicates through imagery rather than direct terms, words are combined to create pictures. It’s a language that invites you to think differently.

I’m part of the Pleanála Teanga committee on the island, working to support Irish language use in the community. With their support, I created two web series: Tory Island Chronicles and The Whispers of Time. My idea was to flood social media with cultural content: tell your stories, speak your language, show your place to the world. You can find the videos online.

You also paint, so an Atlantic island with so much scenery and rich placenames seems perfect for you. Do you think, as a newcomer, you bring fresh energy to exploring it?

I enjoy painting, but writing is my real passion. I hope I’m a better writer than a painter!

There’s an ideal dynamic between local people and newcomers when both enhance each other. As a “blow-in,” I notice things others might overlook simply because they’ve grown up with them. But at the same time, Ireland has shaped and raised me in such a deep way that I’ll never be fully French again.

Were you aware of the Tory Island painters like James Dixon before you moved there?

No, I wasn’t, but I think everyone should learn from James Dixon. He’s the embodiment of the island’s freethinking spirit.

The story goes that he saw Derek Hill painting and, after asking a few questions, said, “I can do better myself.”

Then he picked up a brush and began painting everything: island life, legends, events, religion, even aerial views.

He was prolific and bold, maybe even documenting a disappearing world. In a way, his paintings are like early social media, images paired with brief captions, like ‘First tractor to Tory.’

What I love most is how unapologetically he believed in himself. That boldness, that mixture of desire and faith, is what gets anything off the ground.

You’ve been working recently on Tory Island Chronicles, promoting the island online. What inspired that, and what kind of response have you had?

The response to Tory Island Chronicles has been positive. The videos follow the months of the year and link island culture to more universal themes.

My latest project is The Whispers of Time – Part One. It’s a ten-part video series exploring the monuments and landmarks of the island. These stones are part of the landscape and the culture, but people often stop seeing them — they become invisible with time.

I was proud to receive a Donegal Culture and Creativity Project Award for this series. That recognition means a lot.

Any upcoming projects you can share?

Yes! I’ve just taken part in a workshop with the Ireland Writing Retreat, hosted by the amazing Columbia and Sean Hillen. They’re doing brilliant work supporting writers and promoting Donegal.

I’d love to be more involved in writing workshops. Writing is such a powerful tool — it brings the subconscious into the light, helps us understand ourselves and others. It creates distance, while also helping us look deeper.

I truly believe writing can heal many wounds.

Are there any issues you’d like to draw attention to?

Toraigh go Bráth! Tory forever. I love this island with all my heart, and I love the beautiful county of Donegal.

I also love Lyon, my hometown, and my French heritage — the language, the philosophy, the spirit of love and revolution, preferably between two glasses of wine! But I can’t deny — Donegal and Tory are my passions!

And finally, I believe Ireland’s real wealth is not in its corporations but in its culture. Also, people don’t come here for the weather; they come looking for something that feeds the soul. A taste of something better. A country where people still look you in the eye.