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 22 July 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 RELEASE 22 JULY 2005 TWO NEW SENIOR APPOINTMENTS AT AIB Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c. ("AIB") (NYSE:AIB) has today announced two new appointments to its senior management team. John O'Donnell, currently Head of Investment Banking AIB Group, has been appointed Group Finance Director. Mr. O'Donnell will also become a member of the AIB Board and the Group Executive Committee. Robbie Henneberry, currently General Manager, Branches, AIB (GB), has been appointed Managing Director Designate AIB Group (UK) p.l.c. to succeed Aidan McKeon on his retirement in December 2005. Mr Henneberry will also become a member of the AIB Group Executive Committee. Eugene Sheehy, Chief Executive AIB Group said, "I want to congratulate John and Robbie on their appointments and wish them every success in their new roles. "I also particularly want to thank Aidan for his outstanding contribution to the success of AIB throughout his long career. He has played a major part in the success of many areas of AIB Group over the last forty years. In recent years our UK business has grown strongly under his leadership and now contributes 25% of AIB's profits. It was Aidan's intention to retire earlier this year having completed 40 years service in March, so I also want to thank him for agreeing to stay on till the end of December to ensure Robbie has the smoothest possible transition to his new roles." -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 22 July 2005 By: ___________________ Gary Kennedy Group Director, Finance, Risk and Enterprise Technology Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c.