The visitor centre is dedicated entirely to the life and achievements of legendary polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton - who was born just outside Athy
The Shackleton Experience in Athy has been awarded the Leisure, Tourism and Hospitality Project of the Year and the Heritage, Conservation Project of the year at the Irish Building and Design (IBDA) Awards 2026.
The awards took place in the Intercontinental Hotel in Dublin over the weekend.
The visitor centre is dedicated entirely to the life and achievements of legendary polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton - who was born just outside Athy.
The €8.3 million investment by Kildare County Council opened its doors in October 2025, and is the only institution of its kind anywhere in the world.
The conservation-led redevelopment of the former 300-year-old town hall in Athy has transformed an historic town centre landmark into a world-class cultural and tourism destination.
L to R: Seamus Dooley, JSD Contracting; Aline Fitzgerald, Shackleton Experience; Marian Dempsey, Kildare County Council; Annette Keaveney, Kildare County Council, Annette Aspell, Director of Services, Kildare County Council, Pamela Pender, Kildare County Council, Mark Kennedy, K-Design Studio; Darragh Carey, Kildare County Council and Ciaran O’Brien, O’BFA. Image via Kildare County Council Press Office
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