Kildare County Council has welcomed former Lord Mayor of Manchester, Tommy Judge, to Athy for a visit celebrating the town's cultural heritage, his family roots, and the growing international profile of the Shackleton Experience.

Mr Judge, who served as Lord Mayor from 2020 to 2022, has strong personal links to Athy through his mother, for whom the town was home. The trip acknowledged those ties and the wider connection between County Kildare and the Irish community in Manchester. During the visit, he explored some of Athy's cultural and historical highlights, including the Shackleton Experience at Emily Square. The Shackleton story offers a platform to deepen tourism links, foster cultural exchange and showcase Athy as a destination of international heritage significance.

Speaking on behalf of Kildare County Council, Annette Aspell, Deputy Chief Executive, said: "We were honoured to welcome Tommy Judge to Athy and to recognise the strong family and community connections that link County Kildare and Manchester. His visit reflects the enduring ties between Ireland and the Irish diaspora abroad, while also providing an opportunity to showcase Athy’s rich heritage, vibrant cultural offering and the internationally recognised Shackleton Experience. We hope visits such as this will continue to strengthen cultural, tourism and civic connections between our communities."