Thawed from the ice: Kildare's Shackleton Experience aims to rejuvenate Athy

Make sure to mark your calendars!

The Shackleton Experience in Athy will be officially opened to the public from this Friday, October 10, 2025.

The site, which is located in the town's Emily Square, is the only location in the world which pays tribute to Ernest Shackleton, the ground-breaking polar explorer who born just outside of Athy (Kilkea to be exact) in 1874.

Following an investment of €7.5 million into the premises by both Kildare County Council (KCC) and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Athy’s 300-year-old town hall has been converted into what KCC hopes to be a major tourist attraction and educational spot.

'THE JEWEL IN THE CROWN'

Speaking to the Leinster Leader ahead of the opening event, KCC official Alan Dunney asserted that The Shackleton Experience is part of KCC’s "wider strategy for the regeneration of Athy corporate plan", and will be "the jewel in the crown" of Athy.

Mr Dunney also told the Leader that the €100 million worth of investment into Athy, which taken place over the past number of years, is "coming to fruition" and will continue to do so over the next five to ten years.

In particular, Mr Dunney pointed to recent examples of projects delivered for Athy, such as: the remodelled Emily Square; the Athy Relief Road; the soon-to-be opened Barrow Blueway; and the regenerated Model School, which will host the Athy Food and Drink Skills and Innovation Hub.

As for The Shackleton Experience itself, Mr Dunney maintained that it marks the start of "exciting times" for the town, and added that it has "huge potential" to attract both locals, history fans, endurance and polar enthusiasts, and tourists from both home and abroad.

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GUESTS

Minister for Social Protection and Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, will officially open the upcoming event later this week.

Also in attendance will be the granddaughter of Ernest Shackleton, Alexandra Shackleton and Ministers James Lawless and Martin Heydon. Furthermore, the Cathaoirleach of KCC, Cllr Carmel Kelly, will be in attendance alongside other councillors representing the Athy Municipal District.

FEATURES

Lastly, Mr Dunney highlighted that The Shackleton Experience will boast a number of features, such as: Shackleton’s cabin, which was restored by Sven Habermann in Letterfrack; film footage from the 1920s showing Shackleton’s work; exhibitions; a café; the "Antarctica" and "Climate Change" Experiences; and the Fitzgerald Stone Rent Table, which will come from Kilkea Castle.

The Shackleton Experience will open from 11am this coming Friday.

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