athy heritage centre

Located in the former 18th Century Market House, Athy Heritage Centre-Museum bring the history of Athy to life, from its Anglo Norman foundations, through the 1903 Gordon Bennett Motor Race, to Athy Men and World War 1 and the story of local Polar explorer Ernest Shackleton. Which is the only permanent exhibition anywhere devoted to Shackleton. Its highlights include an original sledge and harness from one of his Antarctic expeditions, a 15ft model of Shackleton's ship 'Endurance' and an audio visual display featuring original film footage of his 1914 - 1916 expeditions. The centre hosts an Annual Ernest Shackleton Autumn School over the October Weekend. Opening dates: All year round - Monday to Friday 10.00p.m. to 5.00p.m. Seasonal weekends - Saturday and Sunday 12.00noon to 4.00p.m.