Athy's Shackleton Experience shines in debut summer

THE SHACKLETON Experience has been welcoming droves of visitors as it enjoys a successful inaugural summer season.

A steady stream of visitors gathered along with the Kildare Nationalist on the first Tuesday afternoon in August to study the engaging exhibits in the 300-year-old renovated Athy Town Hall.

While walking towards Emily Square, locals and visitors were bustling about. 

Some seen with coffees in hand enjoying a walk through the town, others sat down by the river barrow, and others seen fishing from the bridge. 

It was definitely feeling like a quintessential Irish summer holiday, and we hadn’t even made it to the museum yet!

Once through the stone archways at the front of the building, I was in awe of the architectural balance between preservation and modernity.

The entire front of the building has retained the old charm of the former Town Hall, while the exterior has a clean and current design that really lets the exhibitions speak for themselves.

I was then greeted by some very friendly staff who showed me the way to the beginning of the Shackleton story, and provided me with an audio guide.

The experience takes you on a voyage through time to experience the life of a man who refused to take the easy route for anything.

It’s a story of survival, resilience and team work, but also of sacrifice.

And you don’t just get thrown into lengthy rambles about expeditions; the exhibits provide a well-rounded experience, with plenty of fun facts, important context, and interesting artefacts to pour over.

From replicas of Shackleton’s ships such as ‘The Endurance’ and ‘Quest’, to the original cabin from the Quest ship where Shackleton died in 1922, the story is one to experience firsthand.

Each artefact is curated carefully to help narrate Shackleton’s story from his early life to his death, with personal diaries, photobooks and other items featured in each exhibit.

Not only is it a look-and-read museum, but the Shackleton Experience includes plenty of immersive installations, including a gramophone with real audio from Shackleton himself, and a cold plate which visitors can touch to feel the cold of the Antarctic.

The museum also has a reconstructed 1920s cinema with regular showings of archival footage from Shackleton’s expeditions. It can also prove a nice spot to sit and rest the bones for a bit!

Speaking to Aline FitzGerald, the museum’s general manager about the museum’s first few months since opening, she said that visitor engagement has been incredible – with July and August being their busiest month’s yet.

The local community have been brilliant for championing the town’s latest cultural addition, as well as overseas visitors who have booked trips specifically to visit the experience.

Aline described the museum as one to be experienced yourself – an experience unparalleled to reading about Shackelton in your spare time.

“You can talk about it and read about it, but unless you're actually physically there, you're not getting the real essence of it,” she said.

While the museum is still in its infancy, Ms FitzGerald said that they have already experienced repeat visitors for those who want to soak up the experience all over again.

The Shackleton Experience team only expects the great engagement to continue, especially with upcoming events such as Heritage Week, which is taking place 15-23 August, and will feature a handling collection and polar bear dress up, as well as guided tours and a Shackleton themed treasure hunt.

Aside from the Shackleton Experience, the museum also features the ‘Athy Story’ which chronicles the town’s past, from medieval beginnings to the nineteenth century, complete with some wonderful artefacts, like the 1533 Rent Table, commissioned for the 9th Earl of Kildare, Gerald FitzGerald.

This ‘Athy Story’ attraction is free to enter, and visitors can even avail of free tours, which can be booked on the Shackleton Experience website.

Last but definitely not least is the charming onsite eaterie, Ernie’s Café, which is tucked into the corner of the main hall entrance. 

The café has quality barista coffee, a small, seasonal lunch menu, and an array of pastries to choose from.

I just had to order a gourmet sausage roll and cup of vegetable soup on my way out, which provided a perfectly satisfying end to a fantastic afternoon at the world’s only Shackleton Experience!

The Shackleton Experience is open 10am-5pm Tuesday to Saturday with last admissions at 4pm. 

Check out the shackletonexperience.ie for more information and to book tickets.