Bio of Alistair Swatridge

Alistair Swatridge

Alistair spent over 30 years in a Naval career that took him around the entire world and finally attain Command of his own ship fulfilling a dream since he was 6 years old.

Unfortunately in his early career an horrific and traumatic event left him mentally scared, in order to fulfil his dream of getting a command, he refused help and it remained untreated. Unfortunately it would resurface again much later and finally blight the end of his much loved career and go on to ruin much of his personal life.

At only 46, he was forced to medically retire, much earlier than he had ever contemplated or planned. Following a very brief introduction to local politics, he decided life ashore was not for him and he and his wife moved afloat to continuously cruise the rivers and canals of Great Britain in their Narrowboat. 

After more than 5 years of cruising the British network, his mental health was still an issue, so he and his wife moved their boat to the quieter and more sedate surroundings of Ireland, cruising the Shannon, Lough's Derg, Ree and Erne, on the Irish Waterways. He totally fell in love with its people, the beautiful landscape and it’s less crowded, more sedate unique Irish lifestyle within the peaceful and quiet surroundings that the island of Ireland has to offer.  Alistair now permanently lives afloat all year round, now on a larger barge and can be found North and South of the border on FIRST LADY.

He started painting after he retired. He is self taught, and experimented with watercolours before moving to Acrylics. It was only recently in 2017, that the opportunity has existed for him to be able to take his painting more seriously. 

He has sold and exhibited his works Internationally including, Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, United Kingdom and the United States of America. He is a Professional Member of Visual Artists Ireland.