New cruise service for canal in Sallins

A new passenger barge service operating out of the recently-redeveloped harbour in Sallins. Scheduled weekend cruises are now running to Leinster Aqueduct and Digby Lock. The barge is also available for private charter hire and company team-building activities. Operating under the online brand Bargetrip.ie, the M.V. Amo is a restored traditional canal barge and is licensed by the Department of Transport and Tourism for 12 passengers. There is outdoor seating on the open decks at the bow and stern and it has a very comfortable interior with ample seating, toilet facilities, wood-burning stove and a kitchen. The barge is owned and operated by Naas local, Ger Loughlin who has been involved with boating activities on the Grand Canal for over 20 years. Established in 2014, the company has brought visitors from around the world to Kildare for its barge hire service. Mr Loughlin said: "We have been working for the past year to launch a package that would allow people to experience Grand Canal cruising at an affordable price. "A passenger barge service makes this possible and now you can take a canal cruise from as little as €12." There has been strong local interest in the service from families, active retirement groups and local businesses. T he company also expects an significant upsurge in tourist activity in Kildare this year with the launch of the Ireland's Ancient East brand by Failte Ireland which is expected to attract an additional 600,000 visitors to the region. Sallins has a long historic association with the Grand Canal. The very first passenger barge arrived into Sallins Harbour in 1780 and services continued unbroken right through to 1852. The last cargo barge passed through Sallins in 1960. After decades of neglect the canal was restored as a navigation and the Grand Canal is now managed by the cross border authority Waterway's Ireland which was established by the Good Friday Agreement to manage and maintain inland navigable waterways principally for recreational purposes. You can find out more and book a canal cruise on www.bargetrip.ie.