LeBlanc Brings New Energy to Irwin Energy

On July 24, 2006, Irwin Energy, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: IWNE) announced the appointment of Gordon Leblanc Jr. as the company's new Vice Chairman of the Board.

John Gaetz, president of Irwin Energy Inc., stated, "I am very pleased that Gordon LeBlanc has accepted our invitation to join our team. With his vast experience in oil and gas, he will undoubtedly help move our company forward."

"Having been a joint venture partner with Irwin Energy in the past and present, I look forward to being on their Board of Advisors as we seek to develop the Holbrook Basin projects. Frontier projects such as the Holbrook Basin of Arizona do present more risks, but the reward of a major field discovery more than offsets that risk," said LeBlanc.

LeBlanc, 54, is a third generation member of the oil and gas industry with more than 30 years of experience as an operator and geological consultant.

Driven to discover new energy production and reserves, LeBlanc founded LeBlanc Oil (1985) and Tiger Energy (1990) to concentrate on developing oil and gas prospects in the Holbrook Basin of Arizona, the San Juan Basin of New Mexico, the Canning Basin of Western Australia and the Cooper-Eromonga and Surat basins of Queensland, Australia.

LeBlanc oversees a variety of philanthropic endeavors. He is the co-founder of "Every Kid Counts," a 501-C3 children's charity based in Phoenix, Ariz. and has actively served for the past ten years as co-chairman of a group dedicated to fundraising efforts benefiting officers of the Phoenix Police Department.

LeBlanc majored in petroleum geology at Centenary College of Louisiana. LeBlanc's family represents three generations of oil and gas operators, pipeline management, drilling operations and a three-term member of the Louisiana State Mineral Board.

Gordon LeBlanc is also the operator of the Pinta Dome Field in Arizona. In June 2006, Irwin Energy acquired a twenty percent working interest in the Pinta Dome Field. The Pinta Dome Field was discovered in 1956 and has produced 6.5 billion cubic feet of helium from the Permian Supai at 1,100 feet until abandoned in 1977. Mr. Jason Ashdown, Chief Operating Officer of Irwin Energy, stated, "Even though historically the Pinta Dome has been a helium producing field, nearby the Navaho Nation has produced in excess of 18 million barrels of oil."

Bengal Drilling Inc. is providing the rigs for the project. These rigs are the Spencer Harris 7,000 drilling rigs which are capable of reaching depths of up to 9,000 feet.

At this moment, the rigs are being refurbished in Louisiana prior to their shipment to Arizona. The company anticipates drilling to begin somewhere between two to three weeks.

About Irwin Energy

Irwin Energy, Inc., based in Vancouver, B.C., was founded for the purpose of engaging in the exploration, acquisition, development and production of crude oil and natural gas, and related activities. In the oil and gas arena, Irwin Energy seeks out low-risk opportunities to develop positive cash flow from proven and probable oil and gas plays. Irwin Energy plans to grow exclusively through efficient reinvestment of its internally generated cash flow in exploration and production operations, and through limited external financing to build ancillary businesses.

Safe Harbour Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Except for historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors affecting the company's operations, markets, products and prices and other factors discussed in the company's various filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.