New Share Issue

W.H. Ireland Group PLC
31 December 2002


                    WH Ireland Group plc ('WHI' or the 'Company')


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 on 30
December 2002 it issued 396,270 new ordinary shares ('New Shares') to Nick
Alexander and John Eastgate as part consideration of the first instalment of the
deferred consideration for the acquisition of Stockholm.  The balance of the
first instalment (being £141,667) is being satisfied by the issue of guaranteed
loan notes.


Application has been made for admission of New Shares to AIM and dealings are
expected to commence on 6 January 2003.


Enquiries:

Derek Ashford, Finance Director                                    0161 832 6644

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