Incredible images reveal life for thousands of Irish traveller families as they meet at annual festival to ‘marry off their children’

The pictures were taken by a professional photographer at the Ballinasloe Horse Fair and Festival in October
Jamie Johnson was given unprecedented access to the notoriously private Irish traveller commuity
Members of the community from throughout the country and from across Europe come to the annual fair

These stunning black-and-white images offer a unique glimpse into the lives of traveler children.

Photographer Jamie Johnson was given unprecedented access to the notoriously private Irish traveller community at the Ballinasloe Horse Fair and Festival in October.

From a little girl smoking a fake cigarette to a young lad brandishing a machete to a couple of boys pointing plastic guns, her incredible images show the carefree traveller children at play.

Jamie told Mail Online that after living alongside the traveller community she came away with the impression of a 'very proud' group of people, who are strong in their faith and their commitment to family.

A group of traveller girls smoke fake cigarettes as they play together - with one very happy to pose up for the camera

Two teenage traveller girls sit together inside a caravan, left, as a baby takes a bath in a washing up bowl, right

A pair of boys point their plastic guns at Jamie Johnson's camera. The photographer was given unprecedented access to the notoriously private community

The pictures also offer an insight into traveller family life, with touching snaps of a baby taking a bath in a washing up bowl, a mother posing with her three daughters, and a pair of siblings peeking out of the window of a caravan.

There are an estimated 25,000 travellers in Ireland, who have a history in culture dating back to pre-Celtic times.

Members of the community from throughout the country and from across Europe come to the annual fair to trade puppies and horses.

In one heartwarming image from the event, a young traveller girl lovingly leans against a pony, while in another a girl dressed in a Mickey Mouse print onesie holds her tiny dog in one hand.

Photographer Jamie Johnson described the photography project as 'an amazing journey' adding that she 'made connections with so many kind and generous families'

A young girl pretends to smoke a fake cigarette, left, while a traveller boy adopts a tough stance for the camera as he holds a machete, right

Two traveller girls help each other with their makeup. The Ballinasloe Horse Fair and Festival is an event where many travellers meet their future spouse

In this touching image, left, a young traveller girl poses next to her pony, while a boy winks cheekily at the camera, right

Two siblings peek out of the window of a caravan at the Ballinasloe Horse Fair and Festival

The fair also represents an opportunity for teenaged travellers to meet their future spouses, and in one photograph a pair of girls are seen meticulously applying each others makeup so that they look their best in case they happen to meet their future husband.

Jamie told Mail Online: 'They hope to find good husbands for their daughters in their community to carry on travellers traditions.

'This warm generous family-orientated community seeks good lives for their children, and has great hopes for their community.'

A freckle-faced traveller boy shows off the intricate star designed that is shaved into the side of his head

A mother poses with her three daughters, left, while a young girl shows off her tiny dog to the camera, right

Two girls play together behind a caravan. Photographer Jamie Johnson spent time playing with the traveller children to help gain the trust of the community

The photographer spent time getting to know the families, at first gaining their trust with 'a few introductions and lots of smiling'.

She spent some time shopping with the women and playing with the children - even letting them try out her fancy cameras.

'The community works to carry on their family culture and traditions through many generations by telling all the wonderful stories of their grandparents' and great-grandparents' travels,' she said.

'They seek equality and hope to rid of for the next generation of the extreme prejudice that has faced theirs.'

To see more of Jamie’s work, vist: www.jamiejohnsonphotography.com.

Two girls stand together in matching polka dot skirt and t-bar shoes, showing off some of the extravagant clothing the traveller community has become famous for

There are an estimated 25,000 travellers in Ireland. A group of children gather around a traditional caravan, left, while a pair of girls strike matching poses, right

A girl strikes a pose outside a closed fairground ride. Travellers from across Ireland and across Europe flock to the horse fair and festival, which takes place every October

Two boys look very smart dressed in their matching jackets, wellies, shirts and trousers, left, while a dad tenderly holds his son's head, left

Photographer Jamie said 'travellers come from all over the Ireland and Europe to connect, sell puppies and ponies, and marry off their children'

Jamie was given access into their lives after 'a few introductions and a lot of smiling'

In this intimate image, a mother entertains her children in a caravan, as her son laughs into the camera brandishing a toy gun

Jamie said the families allowed her to photograph their lives and cultures, describing how the children would follow her around and take turns using her cameras