Updates on Athy museum and food and drink hub
The new Shackleton museum taking shape with the frame for the impressive glass façade being installed last November Photo: Aisling Hyland
Key updates on two significant development projects in Athy were shared at the recent Athy Municipal District meeting.
The Shackleton Museum and the Food, Drink, and Skills Innovation Hub at the Model School are progressing steadily, with completion timelines now outlined.
The Shackleton Museum project is advancing well. Panels to complete the museum’s striking shard were delivered on 20 January, and installation work is expected to take three weeks. Flooring work on the ground floor is nearing completion, and the installation of flooring on the first and second floors has begun.
Work on the museum’s interpretation and exhibition fit-out is also underway.
Triangle, the company appointed to handle this phase, has begun preparations and is scheduled to start the on-site installation in April. The entire project is set to be finished by the end of May, transforming the museum into a key cultural destination.
Meanwhile, the Food, Drink, and Skills Innovation Hub is progressing through its initial stages. The construction phase is set to conclude towards the end of this year.
Following this, the installation of kitchen furniture, fittings and IT systems will take place from late 2025 into early 2026.
The hub is expected to open its doors by the end of the first quarter of 2026, which will be a wonderful and much anticipated addition to the town of Athy.
Cllr Brian Dooley, who brought the topic into focus in the most recent Athy MD meeting, said: “It’s coming along very nicely. For many years, the area was an eyesore. Now, it looks fantastic as you drive into the town.
“I’m really looking forward to 2026 when we will see the completion of the food and drinks hub.”
