William Irwin MLA is a Unionist politician from Northern Ireland representing the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). He was elected in 2007 to the Northern Ireland Assembly as a DUP member for Newry and Armagh. Irwin was the Mayor of Armagh from 2006–07 and serves on Armagh City and District Council. He is a local dairy farmer. He entered politics after his son Philip drowned in a swimming pool and he met Ian Paisley. "He was only 15. Dr Paisley came and prayed with us and offered great support. Irwin stood in the Newry and Armagh constituency at both the 2017 and 2019 General Elections, finishing second on each occasion with 24.6% and 21.7% of the vote respectively. References External links DUP profile Irwin: Armagh Council NIA website 1956 births Living people People from County Armagh Democratic Unionist Party MLAs Democratic Unionist Party parliamentary candidates Northern Ireland MLAs 2007–2011 Northern Ireland MLAs 2011–2016 Northern Ireland MLAs 2016–2017 Northern Ireland MLAs 2017–2022 Mayors of places in Northern Ireland Members of Armagh City and District Council Farmers from Northern Ireland Northern Ireland MLAs 2022–2027