About Us

Bargetrip.ie was established with the aim of giving people affordable canal barge experiences on the Grand Canal in County Kildare. Now you can charter for a day or stay overnight and treat yourself to some fine dining. There are two barges in the fleet, An Spideog, which is a beautifully restored 45ft traditional canal narrowboat built in 1978 by Dartline boat builders and The Amo, a canal cruising barge also built by Dartline. We are a fully licensed and insured activity provider on the Grand Canal.

The business is operated by Ger and Carolina, houseboat dwellers for more than ten years on the Grand Canal in County Kildare on the Roisin Dubh Barge in Sallins. They are happy to answer all your questions and share their knowledge of canal boating and of the local area.

If you have any queries please feel free to contact us.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is it hard to drive a barge?

No previous experience is necessary. You will need a minimum of 2 able bodied crew who will be required to throw ropes, use a barge pole, jump from the boat onto the bank and open lock gates. The boat is extremely easy to handle and full tuition is given at the start of every Barge Trip. Comprehensive cruising information is in the guide book on the boat.

Do I need a Licence?

You do not need a driving licence for a canal boat in Ireland. The boat itself is licenced by Waterways Ireland.

Is it child friendly?

A cruise on the canal is superb for families. Children under 16 must wear the buoyancy aids provided at all times and we strongly recommend that all crew wear buoyancy aids when near or operating locks.

Do I operate the Locks myself?

Locks are part of the enjoyment and we will explain during your handover how to operate them. There is no mystery to using locks - just a series of step by step tasks. On the Grand Canal the tradition of Lock keeper still exists and in many cases the job has stayed in the same family for generations. The local lock-keeper will be there when possible, depending on how busy he is on the day. However, you will get great satisfaction from doing it yourself!

They were constructed over 200 years ago and have been completely restored and are all manual. They consist of a simple cog and lever system operated by a Lock Key and assisted by the power of water. To open the paddles, you use your lock key to turn a series of cogs and wheels. Keep a firm grip while operating it and never leave it unattended on the paddle gear.

With the gates closed you open 'paddles' to let water in or out, raising or lowering the water level, so that you can move the boat to a new level. They are still fascinating works of engineering today. 

Can I charge my mobile phone?

We have a 12-volt electricity supply with a car-type cigar lighter socket that can be used with a mobile phone car adapter lead (bring your own lead).

What kind of clothes should I bring?

A barge trip is very informal so bring casual, comfortable clothes suitable for operating the boat and locks. These will tend to be T-shirts and jeans, or trousers, with shorts for hotter days. A warm fleece or coat is also useful for cold mornings or evenings, as are gloves when operating locks. Gardening type gloves are ideal. The most important item of clothing for the trip is a pair of non-slip, flat rubber soled shoes. Trainers etc, are suitable but not leather or hard soled shoes - a shoe with a firm grip will avoid slips around the boat and locks. Other items we recommend you bring are waterproof clothing such as anoraks and sunglasses to avoid the glare off the water.

How far can I cruise in a day?

How far you can go in a day is not an exact science. Waiting on another boat to go through a lock, a fouled propeller or just taking it easy stopping along the way all affect how far you go. Please be mindful of the time on the outbound journey from Sallins. As a rough calculation when planning a route, add the number of locks to the distance in miles and divide the total by 3 to give cruising time in hours.

What is the speed limit?

The maximum speed allowed on the canals is 4mph (6kph). If the wash from the boat creates a wave along the back your speed is too high. The waterways are a resource to be enjoyed by everyone and we would ask you to respect other users. Please slow down when going past other boats particularly when moored. Fishermen generally prefer you to slow down when going past them and it is important that you try to stay in the centre of the canal where the water is deepest. You are not permitted to cruise after dark.

What side of the canal do I cruise on?

Keep to the right when passing an approaching boat. If you are approaching a bridge and can see a boat coming in the opposite direction that will reach the bridge before you slow down and give way to them.

What happens if I break down?

The engine is regularly maintained and in the unlikely event that you experience an engine problem contact the number provided immediately. We will be out to inspect the problem as soon as possible. If the problem cannot be fixed on the day, full compensation for a daily rate will be refunded to you.