Dublin City Councillor Meets with Brentwood City Commission

Published on August 27, 2026

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – The Brentwood City Commission engaged in a little foreign relations work during its Aug. 24 meeting when a member of Ireland’s Dublin City Council addressed the Board.

“Our cities, Dublin and Brentwood, are very different in size and character, but there’s a lot that we have in common,” Councillor Rory Hogan said.

Hogan represents the Pembroke community on the Dublin City Council, where he serves with 62 other city councillors from seven different political parties.

“I think you can imagine how long the meetings can take sometimes,” he said.

Hogan, who is a member of the Fianna Fáil party, recently took a vacation to Tennessee, and while researching this area’s local forms of government, he ran across Brentwood Commissioner Anne Dunn’s profile on the city’s website. A quick email was sent to Commissioner Dunn.

“I noticed that you were born in Belfast and have served on the City Commission for a number of years, including several terms as Mayor, so I thought I would chance getting in touch,” he wrote.

Dunn responded immediately. “I am so glad you reached out. Of course, I would love to visit with you.”

But instead of just a quick visit, she invited Hogan to attend the Aug. 24 Board of Commissioners’ meeting. The Irish politician arrived at City Hall that evening, met with commissioners and city staff, and then addressed the Board during the meeting.

“From speaking with Anne and Mayor (Nelson) Andrews, I was struck how similar our jobs were – roads, traffic, planning and development, local services, budgets, neighborhood issues, and of course, residents who quite reasonably expect their elected representatives to help when something isn’t working,” he said.

Hogan noted that both Dublin and Middle Tennessee are experiencing unprecedented growth, and the two communities are working to protect their unique character and quality of life.

“That’s a challenge we share in Dublin,” he said.

The City presented Hogan with a gift basket containing several Brentwood items, and before leaving the podium, he invited the commissioners to reach out if they’re ever visiting Dublin.