Mike Abrahams documented life in Northern Ireland for 14 years, focusing on the daily experiences of the Nationalist community. He witnessed the impact of the partition, the conflict, and the peace process, reflecting on the past and its implications for the future.
British Army helicopter lands at the military base in Crossmaglen. South Armargh. 1984. Northern Ireland
British Army helicopter lands at the military base in Crossmaglen. South Armargh. 1984. Northern Ireland
Crossmaglen, South Armagh. Northern Ireland 1984
Crossmaglen, South Armagh. Northern Ireland 1984
British Army and RUC during a raid on the Nationalist Ballymurphy area of Belfast. Northern Ireland 1986
British Army and RUC during a raid on the Nationalist Ballymurphy area of Belfast. Northern Ireland 1986
RUC stop and search in the Nationalist Springhill Estate. Belfast 1986. Northern Ireland
RUC stop and search in the Nationalist Springhill Estate. Belfast 1986. Northern Ireland
Kids hanging out in the Divis Flats. West Belfast 1987. During the Troubles the flats were a notorious IRA stronghold, as well as hosting the British army on the top two floors of the 20 storey tower block. The army were only able to access their observation post by helicopter. During the Troubles, rioters would entice British soldiers into the flats where the fighting could be viewed by hundreds of the residents from the balconies. The poor quality of the housing and the impact of the Troubles resulted in a high level of poverty in the estate.
Kids hanging out in the Divis Flats. West Belfast 1987. During the Troubles the flats were a notorious IRA stronghold, as well as hosting the British army on the top two floors of the 20 storey tower block. The army were only able to access their observation post by helicopter. During the Troubles, rioters would entice British soldiers into the flats where the fighting could be viewed by hundreds of the residents from the balconies. The poor quality of the housing and the impact of the Troubles resulted in a high level of poverty in the estate.
12th July. British Army erects a barricade acroos the street to prevent the Loyalist Orange Order marching through the Catholic occupied Obin Street. Portadown, Northern Ireland. 1987
12th July. British Army erects a barricade acroos the street to prevent the Loyalist Orange Order marching through the Catholic occupied Obin Street. Portadown, Northern Ireland. 1987
Tea Time. Ardoyne, Belfast. 1987. Northern Ireland
Tea Time. Ardoyne, Belfast. 1987. Northern Ireland
Childrens’ street games. Ardoyne. Belfast 1987. Northern Ireland
Childrens’ street games. Ardoyne. Belfast 1987. Northern Ireland
Catholic youths jeer at an Orange Parade passing by Nationalist Ardoyne. Crumlin Rd, Belfast 1987. Northern Ireland
Catholic youths jeer at an Orange Parade passing by Nationalist Ardoyne. Crumlin Rd, Belfast 1987. Northern Ireland
British soldier crouches behind wall, taking cover, while life goes on. Crumlin Rd. Ardoyne, Belfast 1988. Northern Ireland. Photo by Mike Abrahams
British soldier crouches behind wall, taking cover, while life goes on. Crumlin Rd. Ardoyne, Belfast 1988. Northern Ireland. Photo by Mike Abrahams
Mr Zippy. Boy buying ice cream. Ardoyne, Belfast 1987. Northern Ireland
Mr Zippy. Boy buying ice cream. Ardoyne, Belfast 1987. Northern Ireland
Youth. Ardoyne. Belfast 1986. Northern Ireland
Youth. Ardoyne. Belfast 1986. Northern Ireland
Sheltering from the rain. Belfast. Northern Ireland 1988
Sheltering from the rain. Belfast. Northern Ireland 1988
Mourners mount a vigil, and protest at the RUC demanding control of the funeral of IRA member Lawrence Marley, who was assasinated by loyalist gunmen. Ardoyne, Belfast 1987. Northern Ireland
Mourners mount a vigil, and protest at the RUC demanding control of the funeral of IRA member Lawrence Marley, who was assasinated by loyalist gunmen. Ardoyne, Belfast 1987. Northern Ireland
Mourners mount a vigil, and protest at the RUC demanding control of the funeral of IRA member Lawrence Marley, who was assasinated by loyalist gunmen. Ardoyne, Belfast 1987. Northern Ireland
Mourners mount a vigil, and protest at the RUC demanding control of the funeral of IRA member Lawrence Marley, who was assasinated by loyalist gunmen. Ardoyne, Belfast 1987. Northern Ireland
Mourners mount a vigil, and protest at the RUC demanding control of the funeral of IRA member Lawrence Marley, who was assasinated by loyalist gunmen. Ardoyne, Belfast 1987. Northern Ireland
Mourners mount a vigil, and protest at the RUC demanding control of the funeral of IRA member Lawrence Marley, who was assasinated by loyalist gunmen. Ardoyne, Belfast 1987. Northern Ireland
Mourners mount a vigil, and protest at the RUC demanding control of the funeral of IRA member Lawrence Marley, who was assasinated by loyalist gunmen. Ardoyne, Belfast 1987. Northern Ireland
Mourners mount a vigil, and protest at the RUC demanding control of the funeral of IRA member Lawrence Marley, who was assasinated by loyalist gunmen. Ardoyne, Belfast 1987. Northern Ireland
Mourners mount a vigil, and protest at the RUC demanding control of the funeral of IRA member Lawrence Marley, who was assasinated by loyalist gunmen. Ardoyne, Belfast 1987. Northern Ireland
Mourners mount a vigil, and protest at the RUC demanding control of the funeral of IRA member Lawrence Marley, who was assasinated by loyalist gunmen. Ardoyne, Belfast 1987. Northern Ireland
British Army patrol on the Nationalist Falls Rd after a night of rioting. Belfast 1987. Northern Ireland
British Army patrol on the Nationalist Falls Rd after a night of rioting. Belfast 1987. Northern Ireland
Mourners mount a vigil, and protest at the RUC demanding control of the funeral of IRA member Lawrence Marley, who was assasinated by loyalist gunmen. Ardoyne, Belfast 1987. Northern Ireland
Mourners mount a vigil, and protest at the RUC demanding control of the funeral of IRA member Lawrence Marley, who was assasinated by loyalist gunmen. Ardoyne, Belfast 1987. Northern Ireland
Anti Internment rally. Belfast Northern Ireland 1987
Anti Internment rally. Belfast Northern Ireland 1987
IRA guard of honour at the wake of Dan McCann who was killed by the SAS in Gibralter with fellow IRA members Sean Savage and Mairead Farrell. Belfast 1988
IRA guard of honour at the wake of Dan McCann who was killed by the SAS in Gibralter with fellow IRA members Sean Savage and Mairead Farrell. Belfast 1988
Funeral of the Gibralter Three, killed by the SAS in Gibralter. Belfast, Northern Ireland, 1988
Funeral of the Gibralter Three, killed by the SAS in Gibralter. Belfast, Northern Ireland, 1988
Mourners take cover at the funeral of the Gibralter Three, dan McCann, Sean savage and Mairead Farrell who were shot by the SAS in Gibralter. Michael Stone a Loyalist gunman opened fire on mourners at the funeral killing three and wounding many more. Milltown cemetary, Belfast 1988. Northern Ireland
Mourners take cover at the funeral of the Gibralter Three, dan McCann, Sean savage and Mairead Farrell who were shot by the SAS in Gibralter. Michael Stone a Loyalist gunman opened fire on mourners at the funeral killing three and wounding many more. Milltown cemetary, Belfast 1988. Northern Ireland
Margaret McCann, widow of IRA Volunteer Dann McCann carries his gloves and beret. Funeral of Dann McCann, Sean Savage and Mairead Farrell makes it’s way down Andersonstown Road to Milltown Cemetery, Belfast.. The three IRA members were shot by the SAS while allegedly preparing to bomb a parade of the Royal Anglian Regiment in the centre of Gibraltar. For many, the fact that the victims were unarmed confirmed that the British government was pursuing a ‘shoot-to-kill’ policy against the IRA. Belfast 16th March 1988. Northern Ireland
Margaret McCann, widow of IRA Volunteer Dann McCann carries his gloves and beret. Funeral of Dann McCann, Sean Savage and Mairead Farrell makes it’s way down Andersonstown Road to Milltown Cemetery, Belfast.. The three IRA members were shot by the SAS while allegedly preparing to bomb a parade of the Royal Anglian Regiment in the centre of Gibraltar. For many, the fact that the victims were unarmed confirmed that the British government was pursuing a ‘shoot-to-kill’ policy against the IRA. Belfast 16th March 1988. Northern Ireland
Burnt ou Hotel, Falls Road Belfast. Northern Ireland 1988
Burnt ou Hotel, Falls Road Belfast. Northern Ireland 1988
IRA Guard of Honour fires a volley of shots to commemorate the life of Kevin McCracken, shot dead by the British army while protecting the Savage familly home. On 6th March 1988 Vols. Danny McCann,Sean Savage and Mairead Farrell were murdered by an undercover SAS unit in Gibralter while planning a bomb attack. On the night of the 14th March 1988,Kevin McCracken along with other IRA volunteers set out to defend the Savage family home and he was shot and killed by a British Army sniper.. Belfast, Northern Ireland.
IRA Guard of Honour fires a volley of shots to commemorate the life of Kevin McCracken, shot dead by the British army while protecting the Savage familly home. On 6th March 1988 Vols. Danny McCann,Sean Savage and Mairead Farrell were murdered by an undercover SAS unit in Gibralter while planning a bomb attack. On the night of the 14th March 1988,Kevin McCracken along with other IRA volunteers set out to defend the Savage family home and he was shot and killed by a British Army sniper.. Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Dusk falls over Belfast on the day the Gibralter Three were buried at Milltown Cemetary. The three, Dan McCann, Sean Savage and Mairead Farrell were shot by the SAS in Gibralter whilst allegedly on a bombing mission. During the funeral, loyalist gunman Michael Stone, killed three mourners in a gun and grenade attack. March 1988. Belfast. Northern Ireland
Dusk falls over Belfast on the day the Gibralter Three were buried at Milltown Cemetary. The three, Dan McCann, Sean Savage and Mairead Farrell were shot by the SAS in Gibralter whilst allegedly on a bombing mission. During the funeral, loyalist gunman Michael Stone, killed three mourners in a gun and grenade attack. March 1988. Belfast. Northern Ireland
Ireland play England. The score is 1-0 to Ireland. Falls, Belfast, 1986. Northern Ireland
Ireland play England. The score is 1-0 to Ireland. Falls, Belfast, 1986. Northern Ireland
Street games. New Lodge, Belfast. Northern Ireland 1988
Street games. New Lodge, Belfast. Northern Ireland 1988
British Army conduct a dawn raid in an Ardoyne home. Belfast. Northern Ireland
British Army conduct a dawn raid in an Ardoyne home. Belfast. Northern Ireland
The “Peace Line” at Bombay Street, seperating the catholic “Falls” from the protestant “Shankill”. Belfast 1988. Northern Ireland
The “Peace Line” at Bombay Street, seperating the catholic “Falls” from the protestant “Shankill”. Belfast 1988. Northern Ireland
Ardoyne, North Belfast. Northern Ireland
Ardoyne, North Belfast. Northern Ireland
The Irish border 1990. County Tyrone. Blocks placed across the road by the British Army at an unapproved border road. Members of the local community had moved the obstructions enabling them to save a 40 mile detour to gain access to their fields and family.
The Irish border 1990. County Tyrone. Blocks placed across the road by the British Army at an unapproved border road. Members of the local community had moved the obstructions enabling them to save a 40 mile detour to gain access to their fields and family.
Border road blocked by barricade at the border between the Republic and the North of Ireland. Woman makes the crossing. County Tyrone. Northern Ireland 1990
Border road blocked by barricade at the border between the Republic and the North of Ireland. Woman makes the crossing. County Tyrone. Northern Ireland 1990
The Irish border 1990. County Tyrone. Blocks placed across the road by the British Army at an unapproved border road. Members of the local community had moved the obstructions enabling them to save a 40 mile detour to gain access to their fields and family.
The Irish border 1990. County Tyrone. Blocks placed across the road by the British Army at an unapproved border road. Members of the local community had moved the obstructions enabling them to save a 40 mile detour to gain access to their fields and family.
The border with the Republic of Ireland at Strabane. Child in a caravan with the British Army border checkpoint behind. Northern Ireland 1990. Photo by Mike Abrahams
The border with the Republic of Ireland at Strabane. Child in a caravan with the British Army border checkpoint behind. Northern Ireland 1990. Photo by Mike Abrahams
The border between the Republic and the North of Ireland. County Tyrone. Northern Ireland 1990
The border between the Republic and the North of Ireland. County Tyrone. Northern Ireland 1990
Orange Parade through Richill, County Armargh. Twenty five thousand proclaim their loyalty to God and Crown. July 1994. Northern Ireland
Orange Parade through Richill, County Armargh. Twenty five thousand proclaim their loyalty to God and Crown. July 1994. Northern Ireland
Portadown Orangemen gather at the Orange Hall in Portadown, prepare for thaer annual march to the church at Drumcree. July 1994. Northern Ireland
Portadown Orangemen gather at the Orange Hall in Portadown, prepare for thaer annual march to the church at Drumcree. July 1994. Northern Ireland
Loyalist youths preparing for the annual bonfire to celebrate “King Billy’s: victory over catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Portadown, July 1994. Northern Ireland
Loyalist youths preparing for the annual bonfire to celebrate “King Billy’s: victory over catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Portadown, July 1994. Northern Ireland
Loyalist youth preparing for the annual bonfire to celebrate “King Billy’s” victory over King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Youth carrying an effigy of the “traitor” Robert Lundy, who will be burnt on the fire on the night of the 11th. Portadown, July 1994. Northern Ireland
Loyalist youth preparing for the annual bonfire to celebrate “King Billy’s” victory over King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Youth carrying an effigy of the “traitor” Robert Lundy, who will be burnt on the fire on the night of the 11th. Portadown, July 1994. Northern Ireland
Loyalist youths preparing for the annual bonfire to celebrate “King Billy’s: victory over catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Portadown, July 1994. Northern Ireland
Loyalist youths preparing for the annual bonfire to celebrate “King Billy’s: victory over catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Portadown, July 1994. Northern Ireland
Loyalist bonfire celebrating the Glorious 12th. An effigy of the “traitor” Robert Lundy is burned to the sound of the Portadown True Blues flute Band. Portadown, July 1994
Loyalist bonfire celebrating the Glorious 12th. An effigy of the “traitor” Robert Lundy is burned to the sound of the Portadown True Blues flute Band. Portadown, July 1994
Belfast Orangemen celebrating protestant King William of Orange’s victory over catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.The Edenderry rally. 12th July, Belfast. Northern Ireland
Belfast Orangemen celebrating protestant King William of Orange’s victory over catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.The Edenderry rally. 12th July, Belfast. Northern Ireland
Belfast Orangemen celebrating protestant King William of Orange’s victory over catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.The Edenderry rally. 12th July, Belfast. Northern Ireland
Belfast Orangemen celebrating protestant King William of Orange’s victory over catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.The Edenderry rally. 12th July, Belfast. Northern Ireland
Loyalists gather at the annual bonfire at the Shankill Rd, Belfast, celebrating the victory at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Northern Ireland, July 11th 1994
Loyalists gather at the annual bonfire at the Shankill Rd, Belfast, celebrating the victory at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Northern Ireland, July 11th 1994
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