From Covid-19 lockdown project to GAA museum exhibit

Tim McCann's graphic design artwork charters the evolution of GAA jerseys and uniforms

It started off as a Covid-19 lockdown project and gift to a GAA-mad brother, but it has now led to an exhibition at the National Museum of Ireland.

Tim McCann, from Limavady, has created four rolls of honour for the All-Ireland winners in hurling, camogie and the men and ladies football, from 1887 through to 2023.

His graphic design artwork, which charters the evolution of GAA jerseys and uniforms through the years, is featured in a exhibition entitled GAA: People, Objects and Stories.

The artwork showcases the transition over the years from coloured woollen jumpers to the branded high-tech sportswear of today.

Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle's The North West Today programme, Mr McCann, who works as a director of marketing at Bangor University in Wales, said his GAA artwork project all began as a gift to his brother, Chris.

His work is featured in a exhibition entitled: GAA: People, Objects and Stories

"It all started in late 2019, my brother had just moved to London in a wee flat and I had an idea of doing a print of the Derry 1993 All-Ireland winning team and sending it to him," he explained.

"He shared it on social media and then I started getting contacted by people from all over Ireland asking me to do prints of their teams.

"I was doing stuff from Cork, Dublin, Tyrone, Derry and just all over."

Mr McCann said his artwork then transitioned into somewhat of a history project after getting into contact with Dr Siobhán Doyle, a curator in a GAA museum.

Working alongside Ms Doyle, who helped him research uniforms and jerseys from 1887 onwards, Mr McCann then compiled a collection of historic jersey prints of winning teams.

"I created them all and it's now part of the exhibition at Collins Barracks in Dublin," he said.

The exhibit features a range of work and objects focusing on the island of Ireland’s largest sporting organisation.

Objects dating from the 15th Century to the present day, illustrate the influence of the GAA through the lens of social history, design and popular culture.

Mr McCann, who now lives in Wales, saw his work for the very first time on display at the weekend and said it was a surreal experience.

"To have thousands of people come and see something that you have created is pretty special," he said.

'GAA means a lot to people'

Mr McCann believes his artwork has resonated so much with people because the GAA is so embedded within communities.

"It means a lot to people to see in one page the history of the game," he said.

"I have always worked as a graphic designer, but my work was always corporate stuff and this was just something I started doing for my brother and because of my love for the GAA.

"I was just enjoying doing it, particularly during that time in lockdown when you couldn't do much else cooped up in the house."

Mr McCann encouraged anyone with a passion for design to just put themselves out there.