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Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Paul Murphy, to be Honored at Co-Operation Ireland's Annual Dinner NEW YORK, March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Co-operation Ireland, a non-partisan charity with offices in New York, Belfast and Dublin, dedicated to promoting peace throughout all of Northern Ireland and Ireland, is hosting its Annual Dinner on Monday, March 14th. The evening will highlight the organization's 26 years of peace and reconciliation work and will also Honor the Rt. Honorable Paul Murphy, MP, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. The Secretary will deliver a keynote address as well. The Presenting Sponsor is Allied Domecq Spirits, North America. Co-operation Ireland has worked for the past 26 years to promote peace in Northern Ireland and Ireland through practical co-operation between ordinary people in both parts of the island. An appraisal of its work concluded that "because of real and perceived absence of bias Co-operation Ireland has been able to retain the support of both sections of the community in Northern Ireland.' Over 15,000 people take part in its activities each year. The Annual Dinner will be held at the Plaza Hotel, starting at 6:30 p.m. Secretary Murphy is expected to speak for 20 minutes. Other speakers include Tony Kennedy, Chief Executive of Co-operation Ireland and Jim Clerkin, President of Allied Domecq Spirits, North America. "Co-operation Ireland has a 26-year history and an established record of delivering progressive peace and reconciliation programs at the community level throughout Ireland and in doing so, has done a tremendous job of tackling the lingering issues of intolerance while also shaping a positive vision for the future. We have created an innovative portfolio of peace and reconciliation programs that emphasize simplicity in managing a historically complex problem by facilitating dialogue and interaction," said Tony Kennedy, Chief Executive of Co-operation Ireland. Jim Clerkin, Chairman of the Co-operation Ireland, USA Board of Directors added, "I am most proud of our philosophy of inclusion that exists in all of our programs and I believe this core value is further exemplified by proudly having both Her Majesty the Queen and Her Excellency President Mary McAleese as joint patrons of the organization." In addition to celebrating its 26 years of peace-building, Co-operation Ireland is also announcing the Second Annual PRAW (Peace & Reconciliation Awareness Week), which will take place from April 11th through 15th, 2005. The week-long program is designed to raise awareness and to frame to the American market that significant cross-community progress has been made via Co-operation Ireland's grass-roots peace and reconciliation programs throughout all of Northern Ireland and Ireland. The PRAW also marks the 7th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement April 10,1998. Presenting Sponsor of the 2005 Annual Dinner: Allied Domecq Spirits, North America About Allied Domecq PLC -- Brands People Want Allied Domecq PLC is one of the world's largest premium spirits, wines and food service operations. A global company with annual sales of more than pounds Sterling 3,229 million/$5,844 million, Allied Domecq serves consumers through its operations in more than 50 countries, supported by 12,000 highly skilled employees. Core spirits brands include Ballantine's, Beefeater, Canadian Club, Courvoisier, Kahlua, Malibu, Maker's Mark, Sauza, Stolichnaya and Tia Maria. Allied Domecq's wine portfolio features Campo Viejo, Champagne Mumm, Champagne Perrier Jouet, Clos du Bois and Montana. Allied Domecq owns or distributes 14 of the top 100 international premium spirit brands and its brand portfolio commands world No. 1 or No. 2 positions in six leading categories. Dunkin' Brands, Inc., the company's international quick service restaurants business, includes Dunkin' Donuts, Baskin-Robbins and Togo's, which operate in more than 50 countries, with over 12,000 franchised outlets worldwide. Allied Domecq's performance is driven by its globally recognized portfolio, its geographically diverse market and customer presence, and the talents of its people. Allied Domecq is traded on both the London Stock Exchange (LONDON: ALLD) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:AED). Further information on the company can be found at http://www.allieddomecq.com/. About Co-operation Ireland Co-operation Ireland is the largest and oldest non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting better cross-border and cross-community relations in Ireland and Northern Ireland. It is a non-political, non- religious voluntary organization with offices in Belfast, Dublin and New York. Co-operation Ireland, USA is a sister organization in the United States. As a registered 501(c)3 charitable organization based in New York, its purpose is to raise significant awareness and funds on behalf of Co-operation Ireland's crucial work. The New York office seeks to strengthen the relationship between the people of Ireland and concerned, solution minded American citizens who are interested in helping mutual understanding become a permanent reality in Northern Ireland and Ireland. Our US Board is comprised of influential corporate and governmental leaders who support the vision of reconciliation. Their commitment provides a platform from which Co-operation Ireland USA conducts strategic fundraising, public awareness and advocacy efforts across corporate, foundation and U.S. governmental categories alike. For more information, to donate online or for tickets to the Dinner, please contact: Anne Conroy, Executive Associate, Co-operation Ireland, USA tel: (212) 675-7505 email: web: http://www.cooperationireland.org/usa DATASOURCE: Co-operation Ireland CONTACT: Brian McGinley, Executive Director, Co-operation Ireland, +1-212-675-7505, ; or Matt Lauer of Qorvis Communications, +1-202-448-3172, , for Co-Operation Ireland Web site: http://www.cooperationireland.org/usa

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