Matthew Watson, five, and Gemma McBride, six, from Cregagh Primary School help celebrate its 50th anniversary in October 1989placeholder image
Matthew Watson, five, and Gemma McBride, six, from Cregagh Primary School help celebrate its 50th anniversary in October 1989 | Trevor Dickson/News Letter archives

Northern Ireland retro: 25 nostalgic photos show people winning at life in 1989, from schools to pools

Robert Cumber
By Robert Cumber

Property and retro writer

Published 6th Feb 2026, 15:39 GMT

These photos take you back to the late 80s, showing people around Northern Ireland living their best lives.

The nostalgic pictures were all taken in 1989, the year in which Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade topped the box office and Ride on Time, by Black Box, dominated the charts.

They capture life in all its variety around Northern Ireland, from farming to finance.

Pupils are pictured celebrating their school’s 50th anniversary, Miss Northern Ireland is seen helping to launch the Hair Aid fundraising extravaganza, and the owner of the nation’s best chippy is shown receiving his award.

Elsewhere, a world kickboxing champion prepares for his next bout, Northern Ireland manager Billy Bingham does his bit for the next generation of football stars, and a lucky four-year-old gets to live out his firefighting dream.

Do these photos bring back any happy memories for you of the 1980s? What do you miss most about life back then?

For more 80s nostalgia, why not check out our photo gallery looking back at the start of the decade?

Lisnasharragh High School's 'dynamic duo'' Shelly Stewart, 11, and Sharon Shaw, 12, both first-formers, who took part in the charity fun run at the school in October 1989

13. Fun run

Lisnasharragh High School's 'dynamic duo'' Shelly Stewart, 11, and Sharon Shaw, 12, both first-formers, who took part in the charity fun run at the school in October 1989 | News Letter archives Photo: News Letter archives

Back-breaking work for George Graham, from Downpatrick, in October 1989 as he helps put the finishing touches to one of the stone walls at the Ulster Wildlife Trust's nature centre at Crossgar, Co Down.

14. Heavy lifting

Back-breaking work for George Graham, from Downpatrick, in October 1989 as he helps put the finishing touches to one of the stone walls at the Ulster Wildlife Trust's nature centre at Crossgar, Co Down. | News Letter archives Photo: News Letter archives

Classroom assistant Paula Hegarty conducts business at Cregagh Primary School's partial-hearing department. The school marked its 50th anniversary in October 1989.

15. In harmony

Classroom assistant Paula Hegarty conducts business at Cregagh Primary School's partial-hearing department. The school marked its 50th anniversary in October 1989. | News Letter archives Photo: News Letter archives

Miss Northern Ireland, Pauline Taylore, and, right, Patricia Waugh, chairperson of the Hairdressers' Association, launch Hair Aid '89 to raise funds for Concern in October 1989. The 1988 event raised £33,000 for the charity.

16. Hair Aid

Miss Northern Ireland, Pauline Taylore, and, right, Patricia Waugh, chairperson of the Hairdressers' Association, launch Hair Aid '89 to raise funds for Concern in October 1989. The 1988 event raised £33,000 for the charity. | News Letter archives Photo: News Letter archives

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