An iceberg has emerged in the heart of Athy. It will not melt at the first ray of sunshine: this spectacular glass structure houses the new Shackleton Experience, a museum devoted entirely to Ernest Shackleton. Opened after extensive renovation work, the site tells the story of one of the most extraordinary survival adventures of the 20th century, through original objects, archival films and eleven immersive galleries.
The Endurance ship – @Endurance_22 – Twitter
Ernest Shackleton was born in 1874 in Kilkea, a few kilometres from Athy, in County Kildare. After spending his youth between Ireland and London, he joined the merchant navy before taking part in several major expeditions to Antarctica.
His name is chiefly associated with the Endurance. Departing in 1914, Shackleton set out to make the first overland crossing of the Antarctic continent. The expedition would never achieve its goal: trapped in the pack ice of the Weddell Sea, the ship was slowly crushed by the ice before sinking in 1915.
An interminable struggle for survival then began. After spending several months on the pack ice, the men reached Elephant Island aboard their lifeboats. Shackleton and five companions then continued to South Georgia in the James Caird, a boat barely seven metres long. After a crossing of nearly 1,300 kilometres, the explorer managed to organise a rescue. All 28 men from the Endurance survived, as recalled by the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich.
The Shackleton Experience occupies Athy’s former town hall, a building around 300 years old overlooking Emily Square. Its renovation represented an investment of close to 7 million euros, more than 5 million of which was provided by the Irish Rural Regeneration Fund.
The historic building was restored and extended with a glass addition evoking a block of ice. This contemporary architecture immediately signals the change in scale: the former local museum has become a genuine tourist attraction, officially opened in October 2025. According to the Irish government, it is the only institution in the world devoted entirely to Shackleton’s life.
Ernest Skackleton Expedition
The self-guided visit unfolds across eleven galleries. It looks back at Shackleton’s Irish childhood, his early years at sea, the Nimrod expedition, the sinking of the Endurance and his final voyage aboard the Quest.
The collection includes several remarkable pieces. The most moving is the cabin in which Shackleton died of a heart attack in January 1922, while the Quest was in South Georgia. His sledge and harness used during the Nimrod expedition are also on display, alongside journals, photographs and models of the Endurance, the Quest and the James Caird.
A cinema recreated in the style of the 1920s shows rare footage filmed during the expeditions. Frank Hurley’s films notably show the Endurance immobilised in the ice and the crew’s efforts to save the ship.
The museum is not limited to display cases, however. Digital maps, projections, sensory effects and immersive sequences place visitors at the heart of the expedition. One part of the route simulates the abandonment of the Endurance and the crew’s progress towards the lifeboats. A free multimedia guide can also be downloaded onto a smartphone.
The Shackleton Experience’s success lies in its central subject: the survival of a group facing an almost impossible situation. The exhibition focuses as much on Shackleton’s qualities as a sailor as on his ability to preserve the cohesion and morale of his crew.
This approach makes the route accessible to families and visitors who know little about the history of polar exploration. Children will get more out of the audiovisual sequences and interactive installations, while enthusiasts can take their time over the objects and archival documents.
The entire museum is accessible to wheelchair users, pushchairs and visitors with reduced mobility. A lift serves all levels. A café, a shop and educational spaces complete the visit.
The Shackleton Experience is located on Emily Square, in the centre of Athy. It is open from Tuesday to Saturday, from 10am to 5pm, with last admission at 4pm. The museum is normally closed on Sundays, Mondays and public holidays.
The visit takes around one hour, or longer if you want to look through all the documents at your leisure. An adult ticket costs 17 euros on site and 15 euros online. A family ticket for two adults and two children is priced at 52 euros on site or 48 euros online. Admission is free for children under 5. As opening hours and prices may change, it is best to check the official ticket office before setting off.
From Dublin, Athy can be reached in around 40 minutes by train from Heuston Station. By car, the town is close to junction 3 of the M9 motorway. Several paid public car parks are available within walking distance of the museum.
The Shackleton Experience can easily be included in a day trip from Dublin. Athy lies where the River Barrow meets the Grand Canal, in surroundings well suited to walks along the water.
Travellers wishing to extend the theme can also follow the Explorer’s Way, a route linking several places associated with the Shackleton family. It passes notably through Kilkea, his birthplace, Burtown House and Ballitore, a Quaker village where Abraham Shackleton founded a school in the 18th century.
With its modern museum design and exceptional collection, the Shackleton Experience provides an excellent reason to leave Dublin and head inland. The good news is that no polar equipment is required.
Essential information to help you plan your visit, including key landmarks, access information, and booking options.
52.99166612264698, -6.983137150799824
2h00
Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm
Check the opening hours and admission requirements before you leave, especially during peak season or on Irish public holidays.
Preferential online prices:
