Family background
William Irwin livedat George Street Macdonaldtown in 1872. By 1892 he was living at Hartley Vale, Hartley.
Local government service
Irwin was a foundation member of the first council elected for Macdonaldtown in July 1872. He was an alderman on Macdonaldtown (Erskineville) Council three times: in 1872-75, 1883-84 and 1890-91.