Athy's Shackleton Experience wins national award
Caption: Pictured from left to right: Cllr Damien Ryan, Chair of LAMA, Cllr Carmel Kelly, Cathoairleach of Kildare, Annette Keaveney, Pamela Pender, Katie O’Malley and Darragh Carey from Kildare County Council, and a representative from IPB
Kildare County Council has announced that the Shackleton Experience in Athy has been awarded the ‘Reimagining Public Places’ Award at the 20th LAMA Community and Council Awards 2026.
The Shackleton Experience reopened last October following an investment of €8.3m in a conservation-led redevelopment of the former 300 year old Town Hall in Athy.
This transformed a historic town centre landmark into a world-class cultural and tourism destination. The project combined architectural conservation with contemporary design, most notably the iconic glass extension known as ‘the Iceberg’, along with the cutting-edge exhibition design all of which provide a unique insight into the life and legacy of the Kilkea-born Ernest Shackleton.
The project was co-funded through the Department of Rural and Community Development under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and Kildare County Council and has become a cornerstone of Athy’s town centre regeneration.
Sponsored by IPB Insurance, who were celebrating their 100-year anniversary, the awards highlight the achievements within local communities, Local Authorities, partnerships and projects across Ireland.
The LAMA (Local Authority Members Association) Community & Council Awards 2026 The awards provide a great opportunity to highlight the work done within local communities, to reward unsung heroes and recognise the remarkable contribution they’ve made to our lives as well as acknowledge achievements by County Councils, partnerships and projects across Ireland. In its 20th year, these awards continue to grow nationally celebrating communities and councils working together.
The 2026 awards, presented by Marty Whelan, saw a record number of 533 nominations across the 31 councils which was whittled down to 137 shortlisted projects in 26 categories.
