Keegan McInroe may be fairly new to Dublin but his Irish roots and family history have given him a spirit of community service.
Graduating high school in 2001 in Lubbock, McInroe graduated from Texas Christian University in 2005 with a degree in religion and philosophy. In May 2006, he began full-time professionally writing and performing music classified as folk, blues and Americana.
In 2011, his mom, Roxanne McInroe moved to Dublin and bought THE house, known as The Harris House, a beautiful 1898 home located on Clinton Street built by John Harris.
Growing up hearing family talk about Erath County drew Roxanne to move back to the area.
“My great-grandma grew up in Erath County,” Keegan said. “It’s very possible she rode by our house on horse and buggy or had conversations on the front porch.”
As Keegan’s music expanded, he began to spend more time in Europe doing gigs with his music and then the pandemic made the music scene come to a screeching halt. Keegan already had his permanent residence in Dublin and when travel became impossible, he returned home and focused his musical efforts here in Texas.
It wasn’t until late 2006 that Keegan really became interested in politics and foreign policy, with his travels aiding his worldview.
When the pandemic struck, it became evident just how important having a state, county and local government was in order to protect U.S. freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, he said.
“I admire the Constitution and the way the balance of power is achieved with state and local government,” Keegan said.
The 39-year-old’s plan wasn’t to win a council seat when he placed his name on the ballot, but rather simply start somewhere giving back to his community and start being part of the conversation. Several months later, he received a phone call saying he was in for Place 4 city council since no one filed against him.
“I’m excited about it,” he said. “I’m trying to help any way I can. There is nowhere in the world I’d rather be than Texas.”
Keegan admits though he didn’t graduate here and is still learning everyone in the community, he finds the town charming and welcoming.
“I have a genuine curiosity of learning how the business of the town operates and how funds are allocated,” he said. “I will be learning as I go what is possible.”
Though Keegan travels to Fort Worth and other large cities for his music career, he enjoys the laid back pace Dublin and other small towns afford their citizens.
“Dublin is positioned in a place right now to grow, if that’s what the citizens want,” he said. “We can become a cool little destination city.”
Keegan was sworn into office Monday night and took part in his first city council meeting being supported by his family in attendance at the meeting.