PRESS RELEASE

08/17/2006

The New Ireland Fund Quarterly Portfolio Update

Boston, August 17, 2006 - The New Ireland Fund, Inc. today released its Quarterly portfolio update as of July 31, 2006.

Investment Objective; The New Ireland Fund, Inc., (N.Y.S.E. - IRL) a closed-end diversified investment company, seeks long-term capital appreciation through investment of at least 80% of its assets in a portfolio of Irish securities.

Sector Breakdown as of July 31,2006 % of Fund
Construction and Building Materials 30.34
Financial 20.74
Food and Beverages 13.52
Health Care Services 7.03
Other Assets 7.01
Transportation 5.00
Business Services 4.53
Diversified Financial Services 4.43
Food and Agriculture 3.81
Publishing & News 3.59

 

Top 10 Holdings as of July 31, 2006 Sector % of Fund
Allied Irish Banks PLC Financial
16.48%
CRH PLC Construction and Building Materials
14.75%
Kingspan Group PLC Construction and Building Materials
8.52%
Kerry Group PLC, Series A Food and Beverages
6.78%
Ryanair Holdings PLC Transportation
5.00%
Grafton GRP PLC-UTS Construction and Building Materials
4.97%
C&C Group Food and Beverages
4.85%
DCC PLC Business Services
4.53%
Irish Life & Permanent PLC Diversified Financial Services
4.43%
FBD Holdings PLC Financial
4.26%

 

Total Net Assets: US $129,162,143
Net Asset Value: $ 27.83
Market Price: $ 25.35
Prem/(Disc): (8.91)%

The New Ireland Fund Inc. is managed by Bank of Ireland Asset Management (U.S.) Limited, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of Ireland Group.

Website: newirelandfund.com