UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 6-K Report of Foreign Private Issuer Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 For the date of 31 May, 2005 ALLIED IRISH BANKS, public limited company Bankcentre, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, Republic of Ireland Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F. Form 20-F..X... Form 40-F..... Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes ..... No ..X... If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ________ FOR IMMEDIATE DELIVERY 30 MAY 2005 AIB GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE MICHAEL BUCKLEY ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT DATE Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c. ("AIB") (NYSE:AIB) Earlier this year Michael Buckley indicated that the length of the handover period between him and the new Chief Executive would depend on whether an internal or external candidate was selected. The appointment of Eugene Sheehy, who has over thirty years experience in a variety of roles with AIB, means that a lengthy transition is not necessary and Michael Buckley has, therefore, decided to retire as Chief Executive at the end of June this year. At the request of Mr Sheehy, Mr Buckley will continue as AIB's representative on the Board of M & T Bank until April 2006. - Ends - For further information contact: Catherine Burke Alan Kelly Head of Corporate Relations Head of Group Investor Relations AIB Group AIB Group Bankcentre Bankcentre Dublin 4 Dublin 4 Tel: +353-1-6600311 ext. 13894 Tel: +353-1-6600311 ext. 12162 Signatures Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorised. ALLIED IRISH BANKS, p.l.c. (Registrant) Date 31st May, 2005 By: ___________________ Gary Kennedy Group Director, Finance, Risk and Enterprise Technology Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c.