PRESS RELEASE

7/15/2009

The New Ireland Fund, Inc. Announces Appointment Of A New Director

Boston, Massachusetts, July 15, 2009: - The Board of Directors of The New Ireland Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") is pleased to announce the appointment of Christopher Johns as President and Director of the Fund. Mr. Johns is Head of Investments at Bank of Ireland Asset Management Limited ("BIAM") in Dublin, Ireland, an affiliate of Bank of Ireland Asset Management (U.S.) Limited, the Fund's Investment Advisor. Mr. Johns' role encompasses responsibility for research, portfolio management and trading across all asset classes managed by BIAM.

Mr. Johns joined BIAM as Global Head of Research in 2006 and was appointed to his present position in the Fall of 2008. Prior to joining BIAM, he worked in the investment banking business in London, following time spent in Dublin with Allied Irish Capital Management and BIAM.

The New Ireland Fund, Inc is a closed-end diversified investment company that seeks long-term capital appreciation through investing at least 80% of its assets in a portfolio of Irish securities. The Fund is managed by Bank of Ireland Asset Management (U.S.) Limited and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol - IRL.

For further information, please contact the Fund at (800) 468-6475 or at its website at www.newirelandfund.com.