William Irwin (Unionist politician) facts for kids

William Irwin is a politician from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). He has been a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) for the area of Newry and Armagh since 2007. He also speaks for the DUP on topics related to farming and rural life.

Who is William Irwin?

William Irwin was born on December 12, 1956, in Kilmore, Northern Ireland. Before becoming a politician, he worked as a dairy farmer. This background helps him understand the needs of people living in rural areas.

Why He Joined Politics

William Irwin decided to get involved in politics after a very sad event in his life. His son, Philip, passed away at the age of 15. During this difficult time, he met Ian Paisley, who founded the DUP. Mr. Paisley offered comfort and support. This experience inspired William Irwin to help others in his community.

Serving His Community

William Irwin started his political journey by running for a seat on the Armagh City and District Council. This is a local government group that helps manage things in the Armagh area.

Local Council Work

He first tried to get elected to the council in 2001 but was not successful. However, he was elected in 2005 and again in 2011. He served on the Armagh City and District Council until 2014, when the council was changed.

Working in the Assembly

In 2007, William Irwin was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly. This is where laws are made for Northern Ireland. He represents the people of Newry and Armagh. As an MLA, he works to make decisions that affect everyone in Northern Ireland.

General Elections

William Irwin also ran for a seat in the UK General Election in 2017 and 2019. These elections decide who represents Northern Ireland in the main UK Parliament. He finished second in both elections for the Newry and Armagh area.

External links

• DUP profile
• Irwin: Armagh Council
• NIA website