Shackleton Experience Athy

🧭 Artefact Spotlight of the Week

This week’s spotlight is our incredible 1:10 scale replica of the Endurance 🚢❄️

Originally built for the 2002 TV mini series Shackleton, starring Kenneth Branagh, this detailed model brings to life the legendary ship that carried Ernest Shackleton and his crew into the frozen unknown on the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition.

The Endurance would later become trapped and crushed by Antarctic ice in 1915, marking the beginning of one of the greatest survival stories in history. This replica captures not just the craftsmanship of the ship itself, but the spirit of resilience, leadership, and determination that defined Shackleton’s journey.🌊

Visit us in Athy to see it up close and step into the story.

📍 Open Tuesday–Saturday, 10am–5pm (last admission 4pm)

Thinking of a day trip with a difference? Here’s how to spend 24 hours in Athy ✨

🧭 Start your journey at the Shackleton Experience. Step into the incredible story of Ernest Shackleton through immersive and interactive exhibitions

☕ Refuel at Ernie’s @ Shackleton Experience Café and enjoy a coffee with a treat

🚶‍♂️ Take a stroll through Emily Square, pop into local shops, and soak up the charm of this historic market town

🌊 Cruise the River Barrow and explore Athy’s built heritage and some wildlife along the way

🍽️ End your day your way, weather it’s a trad session in Clancy’s or a bite to eat in one the local restaurants, Athy has plenty to offer

Athy is no longer just a stop along the way, it’s a destination waiting to be explored 💙

📍 Start your adventure with us
🎟️ Book now https://shackletonexperience.ie/book-now/

🏅 Artefact Spotlight of the Week

This week, we’re looking at the Polar Medal - one of the highest honours awarded to those who ventured into the extreme conditions of the Arctic and Antarctic ❄️🌍

Ernest Shackleton was awarded the Polar Medal in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to Antarctic exploration. These expeditions were not just journeys, they were tests of survival, leadership, and human endurance in some of the harshest environments on Earth.

The medal itself symbolises courage, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of discovery. For those who received it, it marked their place in the Heroic Age of Polar Exploration - a time when the unknown truly was unknown.

Why not see it for yourself and explore the stories behind the explorers?

📍 Open Tuesday–Saturday, 10am–5pm (last admission 4pm)

Have you spotted the new May menu at Ernie’s Shackleton Experience Athy? ☕✨

Whether you’re in the mood for a speciality coffee, a refreshing drink, a savoury toastie, or something sweet, Ernie’s is the perfect place to relax and recharge.

Open to the public and accessible without a ticket, it’s the ideal stop during a day out in Athy 🌍

Make a day of it and explore everything Athy has to offer!

📍 Ernie’s is open Tuesday–Saturday, 10am–5pm