Athy Heritage Centre and Museum

The Athy Heritage Centre and Museum is located in the former 18th Century Market House. Trace the history of Athy from its Anglo-Norman foundations, to the involvement of Athy men in World War 1, which unfolds in an exciting mixture of sound and vision. Discover also the effects of the 1798 Rebellion, and the Great Famine on Athy and its people and find out about the Quakers of South Kildare and the Kellyites of Athy. Enjoy the thrills and spills of the 1903 Gordon Bennett motor race, which took place on a circuit centred around Athy. Follow the exploits of the famous Antarctic Explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton.

The museum is home to the only permanent exhibition devoted to the Kildare born Polar explorer. Highlights include an original sledge and harness from his Antarctic expeditions, a model of Shackleton’s ship Endurance and an audio-visual display featuring Frank Hurley’s film footage of the Endurance expedition. Visitors can relax in the 30 seater audio room and view original film footage. The Shackleton Autumn School was established to commemorate the explorer. It is known as “The Polar School”, is held annually on the October Bank Holiday weekend.