The Story of Ireland’s Ultimate Adventurer – The Shackleton Experience
His name is synonymous with adventure, exploration and endurance. Ernest Shackleton was one of the most renowned Antarctic explorers of all time, leading pioneering expeditions to the furthermost corners of the planet, all the while embodying his family motto: “By endurance, we conquer”. But did you know that Shackleton was born in Ireland, and a proud Irishman through and through? It’s just one of the facets of his story that you can learn about when the Shackleton Experience reopens in October, fresh from a huge renovation.
Set in Athy, County Kildare, just a few miles from the very place where Shackleton was born, this museum is the only institution in the world dedicated to the life and work of the man himself. When the upgraded museum opens, it will showcase everything that made the Kildare man a groundbreaking force in the world of exploration.
You’ll learn how he travelled from his birthplace, the village of Kilkea, to the outermost edges of the globe, and see some incredible artefacts from those very expeditions.
Shakleton Hut
A world-class polar museum
“Athy is a beautiful heritage town steeped in history, with an incredibly passionate and supportive community,” says Aline FitzGerald, General Manager of the Shackleton Experience. “The Shackleton Experience is destined to become one of the world’s great polar museums, and the only one dedicated to the greatest explorer of them all, Sir Ernest J. Shackleton.”
The attraction started life as a small community museum 25 years ago, and this epic renovation combines high-tech, immersive exhibits with rare relics that would take pride of place in any museum around the world. Set in the 300-year-old Town Hall in the heart of Athy, the sensitively restored building now features a striking glass shard extension that looks just like an iceberg, with a statue of Shackleton at the entrance.
Throughout the Shackleton Experience, you’ll get great insight into the three Antarctic expeditions that he led, including the incredible story of Endurance, the ship that became trapped in the ice and later sank. Despite the great risk and danger, and against all odds, his leadership meant that all of the 27-man crew survived. However, the journey to survival was arduous, with the group forced to camp on the ice for 10 months before Shackleton and four others sailed 800 miles in a lifeboat, navigating treacherous waters in order to organise the rescue of the others. Their story of survival is one of the greatest of all time.
And in an absorbing, multi-media experience, you’ll get a deep sense of what their escape from the ice-trapped ship was like, with crashing waves and wind effects bringing the story to life. You can also see biscuit and tobacco tins from that very ship, along with the actual sledge and harness Shackleton used on the Nimrod Expedition.
One of the most extraordinary displays is the actual cabin in which Shackleton died. He passed away of a heart attack during the Shackleton-Rowett Expedition to the South Pole in 1922, on the ship named Quest. You’ll be able to see the cabin where he spent his final night. Then go to the reconstructed 1920s cinema to see archival footage and historic clips of his expeditions, to remember all of his accomplishments. There’s also an exhibit showing what the polar regions are like today, and every year the Shackleton Autumn School features a series of workshops, talks and events that delve deeper into Shackleton’s legacy.
But walk through the exhibits at any time, and you’ll get an insight into what life must really have been like for Shackleton, setting sail for a whole new world, right at the dawn of the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration. Imagine sailing through the unknown territory of Antarctica, seeing icebergs looming on the horizon, watching penguins totter on the snow and looking out at the wonder of the Frozen Continent.
"It is in our nature to explore, to reach out into the unknown," said Shackleton, and that’s just what he did, with his expeditions exemplifying the spirit of endurance.
Beyond the museum, the market town of Athy is a joy to uncover. Stroll the elegant grounds of the Georgian-era Burtown House, and dine in The Green Barn there, a contemporary restaurant serving fresh produce straight from the historic gardens. Then enjoy an Athy Boat Tour aboard a charming barge, taking in local wildlife and historic landmarks along the way.
Sculpture of Tom Crean
Ireland’s adventurers
Shackleton’s not the only celebrated Irish explorer. Over the years, the country has produced many an adventurous spirit, from Shackleton’s fellow Antarctic explorer Tom Crean to the pioneering travel legend Dervla Murphy. Further back in the 16th century, there was the pirate queen Grace O'Malley, a fearsome seafarer who defied gender norms and stereotypes to rule the ocean.
That spirit of adventure, endurance and exploration is still very much alive in Ireland today. All around the country, there are courageous and innovative adventurers who set out to make the most of every inch of the island, climbing the soaring mountains, swimming its waters and performing incredible feats of strength and tenacity.
And it’s easy to follow in their footsteps. You could take part in one of the Gael Force Great Swims, setting out into the gloriously clear waters of Killary Fjord in Connemara or the magical Lough Derg. If you want to go beneath the ground and explore the Fermanagh underworld, you can go “wild caving” in the Marble Arch Caves, donning expert gear and clambering through elaborate passages.
If running is more your thing, head to Donegal for the epic Seven Sisters Skyline Ireland, a 55km (or 30km) mountain running event, traversing seven peaks in the incredible Derryveagh Mountains. There are more trail running adventures in Wicklow, where the EcoTrail event sees participants running five different distances, from 10km to an astonishing 80km, over the mountains and through incredible scenery.
That’s alongside the lower octane adventures that can be found all over the island, from beautiful walking trails and cycles to wild swimming.
Whether you want to get out of your comfort zone and have the adventure of a lifetime, or simply savour the beauty of the great outdoors, Ireland is an explorer’s dream.