Placing of Shares

W.H. Ireland Group PLC
01 December 2004



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


W.H. Ireland announces that W.H. Ireland Limited, its stockbroking subsidiary,
has completed a placing of a substantial stake in the Company. Mr Mohammed
Marafie, who was formerly a director of W.H. Ireland, yesterday disposed of
3,212,367 ordinary shares of 5p each (representing 20.43% of the issued equity
of  W.H. Ireland) and these shares have been placed principally with a number of
institutions at a price of 100p per ordinary share.


For further information contact:

W.H.Ireland Group plc                                              0161 832 6644

Richard Lee, Director

Laurie Beevers, Managing Director


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