Issue of Equity

W.H. Ireland Group PLC
16 May 2006


            W H Ireland Group plc ('the Company' or 'W.H. Ireland')

                            Exercise of share options
                                        
The Company has today issued 89,928 ordinary shares of 5p in the Company
('Shares') pursuant to the exercise of options under the Company's share option
schemes. This brings the Company's total issued share capital to 16,221,329
Shares. Application has been made to the London Stock Exchange for admission to
trading of the new Shares on AIM. Dealings are expected to commence on 
18th May 2006 at 8.00am.


For further information contact:

Derek Ashford                                                    0161 832 6644
Finance Director



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