Norwegian Ambassador visits Athy Museum

Norwegian Ambassador visits Athy Museum

Polar exploration links to be further developed

The Norwegian Ambassador to Ireland, Ms. Else Berit Eikeland visited the Athy Heritage Centre Museum on Monday last (14th November). The Ambassador is interested in further developing links with the town to celebrate historical Polar exploration.

During the visit, the Ambassador met with representatives of Kildare County Council, the Athy Heritage Company and Ernest Shackleton Autumn School Committee. A presentation on the 'Shackleton Challenge' (Secondary School) Project was also given by pupils from Árdscoil na Tríonoide. The Ambassador then welcomed pupils from Athy Model School off the 'Freedom of the Water' boat trip on the River Barrow

The Ambassador was particularly interested to hear about the Museum's proposals for the future installation of the 'Quest' ship cabin in which the Athy adventurer died of a heart attack in the Antarctic Ocean in 1922. The cabin was part of the schooner-rigged steamship, which Shackleton had used for his final voyage. The 'Quest' cabin has been generously gifted to the Athy Museum by its Norwegian owner Mr Ulfe Bakke.

Over recent years, Athy has progressed contacts with the Fram Museum in Oslo and a number of their researchers attend the Shackleton Autumn School each year.


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