Growing up in Sandycove, Co. Dublin, in the 1960s and ’70s inevitably meant living a sea-affected life. Early learning took place at the Dún Laoghaire sea water baths, progressing through the pools, baby, kids and then big Sandycove Harbour was next before graduation at the iconic Forty Foot.
"I can still feel the rough texture of the rope-covered diving board under my feet. The board went, and, eventually so did I."
Now most of Niall's swimming happens across the border from Dublin in neighbouring County Wicklow where he lives with his wife and kids.
"I am fortunate to be able to swim year round at sunrise in the cool waters of the Irish Sea. My love of sea swimming and of image making have become one, to the point where I don't know if I go for a swim and take photographs or go to take photographs that happen to be in the sea. What I do know is that I am continually inspired by the challenge to put two dimensional form on the amorphic energy of the sea."
Everyday in the sea is different so Niall aims to make an image that fixes a moment of the swim in time as a permanent reminder of how it feels to be alive.
