Refurbishment works have begun at the Shackleton Museum in Athy.

The refurbished museum will offer a research space for interested visitors to steep themselves more deeply in the history of the Shackleton explorations and stories and provide opportunities to understand climate change and how the great polar regions play their part in the world’s greatest current day challenge.

Rural & Regeneration Development Funding of €5,207,500 was secured from the Department of Rural & Community Development with match funding of €1,500,000 provided by Kildare County Council.

Martin Heydon, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine said: "I am delighted to tour Athy's Shackleton Museum site today to mark the start of construction works for the refurbished museum. The vision for the completed museum is impressive and will put Athy on the map on a world stage. I would like to complement the work of many people down through the years to get us to this point. I look forward to the completion of one of the world’s great polar museums and seeing the positive impact it can have on Athy as a tourist destination.”

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Cathaoirleach of the County of Kildare, Cllr Daragh Fitzpatrick stated: "The Shackleton Muesum project is a great example of co-operation between National and Local Government, and one of many underway to develop the public realm in Athy. Ernest Shackleton was a Kildare man, and a museum dedicated to him, his crew and his endeavours is only fitting. We are delighted to see works commencing on site, and very much look forward to seeing it to completion in early 2025."

Annette Aspell, Deputy Chief Executive, Kildare County Council said: "We are delighted to see the construction team on site and for the concept and design for this inspirational development become a reality. The unique museum is a fitting tribute to one of the 20th Century’s Greatest Explorers, and one we hope will attract visitors from near and far for years to come. We look forward to working closely with the expert construction team to complete the project by early 2025."

The design team, led by OBFA Architects, with Bernard Smith Consulting Engineers, McCrae Consulting Engineers, Nolan Consultants QS, Lotts Architecture and Urbanism have commenced the process of converting the design vision into reality through the Construction team of JSD.

The work is expected to be completed in March 2025.