RNS Number:7614T
W.H. Ireland Group PLC
31 December 2003


31 December 2003


                W.H. Ireland Group plc ("WHI" or the "Company")

                    New Share Issue and Transfer by Director



On 29 October 2001, WHI announced that it had completed the acquisition of
Stockholm Investments Limited ("Stockholm"). Part of the consideration for that
acquisition was deferred consideration. The Company announces that it has today
issued 347,650 new ordinary shares in WHI ("New Shares") in total to Nick
Alexander and John Eastgate as part consideration of the second instalment of
the deferred consideration for the acquisition of Stockholm. The balance of the
second instalment (being #141,667) is being satisfied in cash. Application has
been made for admission of the New Shares to AIM and dealings are expected to
commence on 6 January 2004.


In addition, David Youngman, Managing Director of WHI, has today transferred by
way of a gift 100,000 ordinary shares to his elder adult son, Alexander
Youngman. This transfer reduces David Youngman's beneficial holding from
2,255,216 (representing approximately 14.41% of the enlarged issued ordinary
share capital following the share issue detailed above) to 2,155,216
(representing approximately 13.77% of the enlarged issued ordinary share capital
following the share issue detailed above).


Enquiries:


Derek Ashford, Finance Director                                    0161 832 6644








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