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 06 September 2007 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 6th September 2007 BOARD APPOINTMENT AT AIB Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c. ("AIB") (NYSE: AIB) is pleased to announce the appointment today of Mr Stephen Kingon, as a Non-Executive Director. Mr. Kingon, who recently retired as Managing Partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers, in Northern Ireland, is Chairman of Invest Northern Ireland, the key economic development agency, and is Chairman of the Centre for Competitiveness. He is a member of the Economic Development Forum, which advises Ministers on issues relating to the development and future competitiveness of the Northern Ireland economy. He co-chairs the North/South Roundtable Group, which seeks to improve the competitiveness of the Island economy. Mr. Kingon is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland and of the Institute of Business and Management Consultants. He is a past-President of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and past-Chairman of: Business in the Community in Northern Ireland; the Ulster Society of Chartered Accountants; and the Institute of Management Consultancy in Northern Ireland. -Ends- For further information, please contact: Catherine Burke Head of Corporate Relations AIB Group Bankcentre Dublin 4 Tel: +353-1-6600311 ext. 13894 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 06 September 2007 By: ___________________ John O'Donnell Group Director, Finance, Risk and Enterprise Technology Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c.