Issue of Debt

CRH PLC
23 September 2003

September 23, 2003

CRH ANNOUNCES SUCCESSFUL US$1 BILLION GLOBAL BOND OFFERING

CRH America, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of CRH plc, successfully completed
its second US$ Global bond offering yesterday afternoon in New York . The
offering consists of 10-year and 30-year notes. The US$700 million 10-year notes
were priced at a spread of 1.1% above the 10-year US Treasury and have a coupon
of 5.3%. A US$300 million 30-year tranche was priced at 1.3% above the 30-year
US Treasury and has a coupon of 6.4%. Due to strong investor demand, the
offering was upsized from US$600 million. Over 100 institutional investors from
North America and Europe participated in the transaction. The proceeds of the
offering are intended to be used to partially finance the acquisition of certain
operations of Cementbouw (which, subject to the satisfaction of closing
conditions, is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2003) and also for
general corporate purposes which may include acquisitions. The notes are
registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Harry Sheridan, Finance Director at CRH said: 'CRH's debut US$ global bond was
completed in March 2002, raising US$ 1 billion. We are delighted with the very
strong investor response to this second offering of US$ 1 billion which enables
CRH to extend its debt maturity profile to 30 years and expand its investor
base.'

Banc of America Securities LLC, Citigroup and JPMorgan acted as joint
book-runners on this transaction.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of
an offer to buy securities either in the United States or any other
jurisdiction, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any
jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior
to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such
jurisdiction. Any public offering of the securities in the United States is
being made solely by means of a prospectus supplement to the prospectus included
in the Registration Statement filed by CRH plc and CRH America, Inc and
previously declared effective.

Contact : [phone]

Liam O'Mahony, Chief Executive

Harry Sheridan, Finance Director

Myles Lee, Finance Director Designate

CRH plc, Belgard Castle, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, Ireland.

Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

Email: [e-mail] Website: www.crh.com

Registered office: 42 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2, Ireland


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