Change to Board of Directors

CRH PLC
4 May 2000

MR. PAT MOLLOY SUCCEEDS MR. TONY BARRY AS CHAIRMAN OF CRH

On 15th December, 1999,  the Board of CRH plc announced the planned 
retirement of Mr. Tony Barry following the May 2000 Annual General Meeting of 
the Company.    Mr Barry became Chairman of CRH in 1994, having been Chief 
Executive since 1988,  and has served two three-year terms as Chairman.    

The Board statement in December 1999 also announced the appointment of Mr. 
Pat Molloy as Chairman Designate to succeed Mr. Barry.  Mr. Molloy joined the 
Board of CRH in 1997,  shortly before his retirement as Chief Executive of the
Bank of Ireland.   He is  a member of the Court of Bank of Ireland,  Chairman
of Bristol and West plc,  the Blackrock Clinic and  Enterprise Ireland, and is
a director of Eircom plc.

Following yesterday's AGM,  Mr Barry has retired and Mr. Molloy has taken over
as Chairman.

                   
CRH plc, Belgard Castle, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, Ireland Tel:  [phone]  
Registered Office, 42 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2, Ireland