Prior to suburban development, Kirwan had been farmed and had also been the site of air force activity during World War II.

[8] Ryan Catholic College, which serves both primary and secondary students, was also founded in 1979.

The next most common countries of birth were New Zealand 2.5%, England 2.4%, Philippines 1.0% and Papua New Guinea 0.6%.

[14] Several leisure facilities are situated within Kirwan itself, including the Willows Golf Club, the Townsville and District Junior Rugby League Grounds and the Townsville Brothers Leagues Club.

Kirwan is also well known as the home of the National Rugby League team, the North Queensland Cowboys, and is the site of 1300SMILES Stadium.

[citation needed] The Willows branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association meets at the Girl Guide Hut on the corner of McBride Street and Bamford Lane.