Shackleton Experience

Shackleton Experience will open in June 2025. The mission is to become one of world’s great polar experiences and an international tribute to the world’s greatest polar explorer, Ernest Shackleton.

In 1915 Shackleton’s ship became trapped in ice, north of Antartica. For the following two years, he kept his crew of 27 men alive and then led to their escape. Shackleton showed an ability to repeatedly inspire his crew to rise to the challenge. His unwaering optimism inspired his men to believe.

Located on Dublin’s doorstep in the heritage town of Athy, Co Kildare, a strong sense of arrival as you approach through its central location in the town’s Emily Square. The first floor is dedicated to Shackleton’s expeditions and includes the chance to a journey across the ice as visitors ‘escape’ the sinking Endurance and make their way to the James Caird lifeboat. Also on the first floor the actual cabin where Shackleton died has been conserved with the cabin noted as “the holy grail of Antartic artefacts”.

The Mezzaine floor is designed as a flexible space with options to explore Antarctica today and climate change.

On arrival as a visitor you will be struck by the light filled gallery which will be filled with light form the shard glass extension to the rear and cafe along with a reconstructed 1920’s Theatre showing contemporary footage of Shackleton’s Expeditions.