A complicated history of dueling religious traditions has existed in Ireland for generations. By the time Ireland gained its independence in 1922, the northern part of the island—what is now the country of Northern Ireland—was split between English “loyalists” and Irish “republicans.” These groups were largely divided along religious lines, with the republicans mostly Catholics of Irish descent and the loyalists mostly Protestants descended from English settlers. The territory of Northern Ireland has therefore been contested, with many Irish republicans across the island viewing it as a natural territory of Ireland. There was also a long history of discrimination against Catholics by the Protestant, English-affiliated stakeholders of Northern Ireland.

Angela’s Ashes takes place after Ireland became independent, but these religious, political, and territorial divisions remain largely unresolved and—to the residents of Limerick—painful. Open bias against those they consider adversaries is therefore commonplace. Comments such as “It is said there were no fleas in ancient Ireland, that they were brought in be the English to drive us out of our wits entirely, an’ I wouldn’t put it past the English” (60) demonstrate an everlasting weariness of the English. This suspicion, contempt, and even derision extend to anyone considered Protestant, even if (as with Malachy) the person is not.