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

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 travelers 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.

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.'

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.'