Ireland’s sole vinyl record pressing plant has begun operations in Clane, County Kildare, filling a significant gap in the country’s music production landscape.
Anthem Vinyl, which commenced production in early April, currently operates two pressing machines with the capacity to produce nearly 1,000 records per shift. The facility initially employs approximately 12 staff members, with plans for future expansion.
The factory’s opening comes at an opportune time as vinyl records continue their remarkable resurgence in Ireland. Sales reached 397,000 units in 2024, slightly surpassing the 396,000 sold in 2023 and representing an 82% increase from 2019’s 218,000 units.
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Declan O’Rourke holds the distinction of being the factory’s first customer with his Record Store Day edition of “Since Kyabram,” which features Smart Vinyl technology incorporating a QR code that links to additional digital content.
“It obviously sounds the way we want it to, but it also looks fantastic. I think they’ve done a great job,” O’Rourke said of the pressing. “There’s something beautiful about it — it’s something tangible. I like actually owning music, and the ritual of putting it on.”
O’Rourke also expressed enthusiasm about supporting domestic production: “It seems to be an all-Irish company, and there’s something sweet in that. My new album will be distributed abroad, but it’s guaranteed Irish this time. It’s nice to put the big green tick on it!”
Anthem Vinyl fills the void left when Dublin Vinyl, previously Ireland’s only record pressing plant, ceased operations last year. The new facility offers a comprehensive range of pressing options for both independent and major labels, domestic and international, while also handling fulfillment services for orders placed through platforms like Bandcamp and artist websites.
Additionally, the Kildare plant serves as a registered chart-reporting center, ensuring that direct sales through artist websites count toward Irish chart positions. The company also plans to make its space available for artists to film content or sign records before shipping.
The factory’s opening coincides with Record Store Day, an annual April event celebrated in independent music shops worldwide with exclusive vinyl and CD releases.