MovieChat Forums > Angela's Ashes (2000) Discussion > Was his Dad really in the IRA?

Was his Dad really in the IRA?

posted 16 years ago by AardvarkRatnik
5 replies | jump to latest

I haven't read the book and I've a question about the scene when Frank's father tries to claim a pension for having served in the IRA during the War of Independence and the official says that there was no record of him having served. The impression I got from that was that Malachy Snr was just making it up, he came across throughout the film as being a total bull$h!tt£r, amongst other things! I'm from the North of Ireland and there's plenty of people who like to brag about how they were in "The RA," when they are the last sort of person that the IRA would allow it's ranks!

So was he really a member or was he just boasting in front of his kids?

"And with that sentence you've just lost the right to even talk to me, now BACK OFF!"

[–] blood_summit 15 years ago

Unlikely I think. I think he was either trying to do whatever to get hold of a bit of money. Besides, I'm not sure but he would have probably have been in the US at the time anyway.

You're right though, there are loads of gung-ho loudmouth pricks who are attracted to the IRA.

[–] lmtopeka 14 years ago

They say in the book he told his kids he came to America because he had a price on his head back in Ireland for being in the IRA. Who knows if he was or not for sure though.

[–] RCeditor 13 years ago

^^That sounds like something an alcoholic might make up.

THE RAP CRITIC
http://thatguywiththeglasses.com/videolinks/teamt/rap-critic

[–] Mike_severed_my_spine 13 years ago

It was probably all *beep* or he just smashed a few windows and made a nusiance 'in the name of the Glorious IRA'

Often adressed as "Oh god no! Please stop, i dont want to die!!!!!!

[–] lmtopeka 12 years ago

That is true as an alcoholic he could be making it up, but when he is sober he goes to the IRA headquarters to try and get some money and I don't know if someone would do that if they didn't at least something in the IRA.