CRANBERRY TWP — Dan Rooney is as close to royalty in Western Pennsylvania as a man can get, an iconic figure linked to the identity of the region through his family’s ownership of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

But a man who’s spent his entire life engulfed in the National Football League won’t let himself be defined solely by sport or by the Steelers, as evidenced by the fact he recently served as the U.S. ambassador to Ireland.

Rooney also showed off his writing talents as an author, coming to the Cranberry Public Library Wednesday night to sign copies of his latest book, “Allegheny City: A History of Pittsburgh’s North Side.”

Speaking in a soft but friendly tone, Rooney answered about a dozen questions concerning football, his political life and the process of writing the book.

He reminisced about growing up in Pittsburgh’s North Side neighborhood and recalled fondly his time spent at North Catholic High School, the same school that recently moved to Cranberry.

Rooney played football at the school, joking that it “took me awhile to realize I had to study.”

He also remarked on the new school in Cranberry, adding that he was stunned by the building when taking a tour of the facility before it opened.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a more beautiful high school in my life,” he said.

In addition, Rooney praised the Cranberry area, saying that the northern region of Pittsburgh has quickly become a desirable place to work and live.

“Most of our football players, except for the rookies, live up here, as do our coaches,” he said. “You guys are doing a great job.”

Rooney fielded questions about his time in Ireland, saying that one of the highlights was meeting the Queen of England, Elizabeth II, who he described as a “very nice lady.”

He also talked about the Steelers and how former Penn State coach Joe Paterno almost got the coaching job that eventually went to Chuck Noll.

“Joe was a good friend of mine and a great coach,” he said.

But most of all he talked about the North Side, a neighborhood he’s lived in his entire life.

He talked about how his father, Steelers founder Art Rooney, used to go to churches on the North Side and give out free tickets to those in attendance while giving cigars to the priests.

He talked about the “good old days” of being a young Irish-American kid growing up in the melting pot of the North Side, and how the neighborhood has changed since then.

It was his love for his neighborhood that spurred him to write the book, and added that he would like to write more books before retiring as an author.

Cranberry resident Tom Cully said his mother grew up on the North Side and that he couldn’t wait to read the book.

“I think it’s amazing that a man of his stature would agree to come out,” he said. “He’s been everywhere, done everything. He’s been a leader in the NFL. For him to come out to humble Cranberry Township is a great honor.”

Library director Leslie Pallotta said she too was amazed that Rooney granted the request to come to speak in Cranberry, adding that the book signing took place in the middle of the football season.

“Who else can better represent our region?” she asked. “He is an icon.”

Rooney’s visit was the first event in the new Franklin Station room in the library. The room is one of many additions to the municipal center after renovations and upgrades over the summer.