Athy's Shackleton & Ernie's named Irish attraction of the year

THE Shackleton Experience & Ernie’s Café in Athy have been named Visitor Attraction of the Year in the Speciality Hospitality & Sustainability category of the 2026 Georgina Campbell Irish Food & Hospitality Awards.

The Shackleton Experience opened in 2025 in Athy’s redeveloped Town Hall and commemorates polar explorer Ernest Shackleton, who was born at nearby Kilkea in 1874.

It has proven to be a a great asset to the town and its potential appeal to both visitors to Kildare and the local community was highlighted.

Ernie’s Café is part of the attraction and is operated by local chef and author Graham Herterich.

The café emphasises local and Irish produce and is open to all the public. 

Also at the awards, the K Club in Straffan was named Business Hotel of the Year.

It’s ability to cater for everything from small meetings and private dining to conferences and corporate events for up to 500 people was highlighted.

Established by food and hospitality writer Georgina Campbell, the awards recognise excellence across the country, with winners selected through independent, year-round assessments by a team of experts.

Speaking at the awards, Ms Campbell warned that the personal connection associated with Irish hospitality is under threat as businesses increasingly rely on technology, automation and digital transactions.

Ms Campbell said:

“The very qualities that once defined good hospitality such as knowing a guest’s name, offering a cup of tea, or simply taking the time to have a conversation are becoming less common.”

“Technology can make a business more efficient, but can it make a guest feel at home? Can an automated check-in desk make someone feel genuinely welcome? The answer, surely, is no”.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme