The 300-year-old former town hall in Athy, County Kildare, has been redeveloped and modernised to create The Shackleton Experience, a museum dedicated to polar explorer Ernest Shackleton.

The project, costing almost €7 million, included extensive building works, an innovative glass extension, and interior fit-outs to accommodate exhibitions, immersive experiences and visitor facilities.

Kildare County Council led the redevelopment, supported by over €5.2 million in grant funding from the Government's Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, with a further €1.76 million in match funding provided locally. The works involved extending the historic structure, incorporating a dramatic glass 'iceberg' feature, and creating a light-filled main gallery and café area.

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The museum features dedicated exhibition spaces, including a floor focused on Shackleton's expeditions, with interactive experiences designed to simulate the Antarctic environment. The project also includes facilities for research and education, ensuring long-term usability and adaptability of the building.

Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, officially opened the project on October 10, highlighting the museum’s role in supporting the regeneration of Athy town centre and attracting visitors to the area.

Photo credit: Kildare County Council.