This paper examines a broad range of corporate governance practices in Irish public and commercial semi-state companies based on data published in annual reports. The purpose of the research is to evaluate the level of compliance by Irish companies with the Cadbury code of best practice. Compliance in the following areas is analyzed: 1. independence of boards, including biographical information disclosed, number of executive versus non-executive director, and remuneration, ownership of share and share options in the company; 2. separation of role of chairman and chief executive; 3. presence of board sub-committees such as audit, nomination and remuneration committees and their composition; and 4. women on boards. A significant improvement by Irish companies in corporate governance practices following publication of the Cadbury report is shown.