Angela’s Ashes Characters

Frank McCourt’s younger brother, and the twin of Eugene McCourt. Oliver McCourt dies at a young age, devastating Angela McCourt.

Frank McCourt’s younger brother, and the twin of Oliver McCourt. Eugene McCourt dies at a young age, shortly after the death of his twin.

Frank McCourt’s younger sister, who dies while she’s still a baby.

The brother of Angela Sheehan McCourt, Patrick Sheehan is a feeble-minded man who works in the Limerick post office.

Angela McCourt’s cousin, who despises Malachy McCourt Sr., and is instrumental in arranging for Angela and her family to travel from New York back to Limerick.

Angela McCourt’s cousin, who despises Malachy McCourt Sr., and is instrumental in arranging for Angela and her family to travel from New York back to Limerick.

A young boy who lives in the same building as Frank McCourt while the McCourts live in Brooklyn.

A good-hearted neighbor of the McCourts during their time in Brooklyn, Minnie MacAdorey often takes care of Frank and his siblings while Angela and Malachy Sr. are busy.

The mother of Freddie Leibowitz, Mrs. Leibowitz is a generous, warm woman who feeds Frank McCourt when he’s hungry.

The local Italian grocer in Frank McCourt’s Brooklyn neighborhood. He gives the McCourts free bags of food on more than one occasion.

Mr. Dimino’s wife.

The head of the Limerick Quaker church.

The irresponsible, alcoholic husband of Nora Molloy.

The schoolmaster at the Limerick school that Frank McCourt attends until the age of 14.

A schoolteacher at the Limerick school that Frank McCourt attends until the age of 14.

A young, decent man who rents a room in Margaret Sheehan’s house.

A classmate of Frank McCourt.

A generous classmate of Frank McCourt.

A school friend of Frank McCourt, who eventually leaves Limerick to go to England.

A middle-aged man who knew Angela Sheehan McCourt when they were much younger, and—it’s implied—loved her.

The wife of Dennis Clohessy, and the mother of Paddy Clohessy.

A friend of Frank McCourt.

An elderly, eccentric man. Frank McCourt reads to him.

A large, bullying boy, with whom Frank McCourt has a fight.

Frank McCourt’s youngest brother, and the baby of the family.

A shy, hunchbacked classmate of Frank McCourt, who makes extra money for himself by letting his classmates pay to see his sisters lying naked in their rooms.

A young, kind-hearted girl who befriends Frank McCourt while they’re both in the hospital. She eventually dies of illness.

A janitor in the Limerick hospital, who looks after Frank McCourt while he’s being treated for typhoid fever.

An eccentric, knowledgeable schoolteacher who encourages Frank McCourt and his peers to contemplate the world.

An official at the Limerick Dispensary Office, who reluctantly agrees to provide Angela Sheehan McCourt with charity.

An official at the Limerick Dispensary Office, who reluctantly agrees to provide Angela Sheehan McCourt with charity.

A Limerick police officer.

An aging man who hires Frank McCourt to carry heavy bags of coal around Limerick, since he’s too weak to do so himself.

The wife of Mr. Hannon.

A jovial uncle of Frank McCourt, who allows Frank to live with him after Frank walks out of Laman Griffin’s house.

A stern, humorless woman who works at the telegram office.

A poor Limerick woman with two small daughters.

The wife of Mr. Harrington, who dies of tuberculosis.

A bigoted Englishman living in Limerick, Mr. Harrington nearly costs Frank McCourt his job when he spitefully accuses Frank of stealing his food and alcohol.

An elderly woman who sells overpriced dresses to the people of Limerick.

A newspaper seller and distributer who hires Frank McCourt.

The local priest who hears Frank McCourt confess to having had sex with Theresa Carmody, and reassures him that Theresa has gone to heaven.

A messenger boy for Mr. McCaffrey.

A delivery boy for Mr. McCaffrey.

A delivery boy for Mr. McCaffrey.

An elderly man who pays Angela McCourt to take care of him.

A priest who tells Frank McCourt that he’ll never be allowed to be an altar boy.

A cold, humorless woman who works at the Limerick telegram office.

President of the United States during the Great Depression and World War II, praised for his commitment to protecting America and providing employment for all citizens.

Renowned Irish author who wrote such classic novels as Gulliver’s Travels, as well as the satirical short story “A Modest Proposal,” in which he sarcastically proposed that England end the Irish famine by encouraging Irish families to eat their own children.

A priest who greets Frank McCourt in America.

A married woman with whom Frank McCourt has sex shortly after landing in America.

Malachy McCourt Sr.’s father.

An ex-IRA (Irish Republican Army) official who fought for Irish independence, but refuses to help Malachy McCourt Sr. find work.

An eccentric teacher at Frank McCourt’s school, who urges the students to study math.

A telegram boy who aspires to travel to America one day.