Samuel Irwin was born in 1877, the son of John Irwin of Bovalley, Limavady and his wife Margaret, (nee Thompson). At the age of fourteen years he entered the portals of the Londonderry Academical Institution. The Academy amalgamated with Foyle College in 1896 under the latter's name and accordingly the young Irwin concluded his pre university education as a Foyle boy.
His prowess on the school rugby field continued during his undergraduate days. He was capped nine times for Ireland. One of his three sons, all of whom joined the medical profession and served in the R.A.M.C during the Second World War, was also capped for Ireland.
He graduated MB.,B.Ch.,B.A.O from Queen's College Belfast of the Royal University of Belfast in 1902. He obtained his M.Ch in 1906 and his FRCS in 1909. He entered the old Stormont as an MP for Queen's University in 1948 and was re elected on three occasions. His CBE was awarded in 1948 and in 1951 he was appointed DL. In 1957 he was knighted. Sir Samuel was president of the Foyle Old Boys' Association in 1931-32. He died on midsummer's day in 1961.
Sources: British Medical Journal July 1 1961
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