What is a club’s History?

The GAA’s own manual for clubs states:

“The GAA Club is the bedrock of every Irish community and provides an organised structure from which great community spirit is generated.”

And this is true. At the heart of every local community, there is a sense of camaraderie surrounding the local clubs and your county colours. Every year, the nation bonds over the latest goings on in the fight for Sam Maguire or Liam McCarthy. Communities have gathered together during the highs and the lows, watching their local clubs and county colours celebrate the cultural history of the game.

More to the point, there are many stories to be told—and Lettertec can help you tell them.

Over recent years, GAA clubs have looked back at their history and the stories to be told and created written accounts of their clubs and the local history of the game. It’s not just about the points and the winners, it’s about the people and the players. Those who volunteered to take tickets, who travelled across the country, come hell or high water, to support their team—win or lose.

Why do it?

  • Raise your club’s profile, among club members, the local community and the media
  • Enhance your club’s tradition and the sense of belonging.
  • Use it to raise funds for the club.

We are here to help you do it!

Here are 5 simple guidelines

  1. Set some boundaries

The first thing to do is to decide on the scope of the history to be documented. Break the project down into small manageable tasks and appoint 1 person to oversee the project & assign tasks where needed.

  • Areas to consider for research
  • When/why the club was founded
  • Who was involved and starting up the club and who were its first members
  • Are there any original member’s families still involved in the club.
  • How much has the club grown from then until now?
  • What facilities existed then and now, have the club facilities moved since the clubs beginning or are they still in the same place?
  • What competitions and events have the club been part of / won?
  • Have any of the members represented their county? If so who, when and how many times.
  • What awards or honors have been presented to the club or any of its members.
  • Find your information

Do the research! Make sure to cross check and verify as much as you can to check its validity. Try and stick to facts as much as possible. Pictures are a great way of adding interest and engaging with your readers so where possible try to find images that go with your text.

  • Get it on paper

The final step is to get writing. It will take you time but collate all of your research into one place. Once all of the information is together proof read and edit before sending it to the printer. Most importantly – enjoy putting it together, because you are documenting a wonderful history of the club that has meant so much to you.

  • Let Lettertec do the rest

When you have all of your information compiled in one place bring it to Lettertec where we will carry out the final steps in creating a beautiful book of your club’s history. You can bring your cuttings, photos and word documents to us and our team will handle it from there. We have proof readers who will check your writing is well structured, readable and free of grammatical and spelling errors. Our team of designers will come up with the best design and layout to make sure your clubs history is presented in the best possible way.