Working with GAA clubs across Ireland is one of the joys of what we do at Designwest, where community-led storytelling meets thoughtful graphic design. These projects are always full of heart, community, history and pride. And few embody that spirit more than Mayo Gaels GAA, a club rooted deeply in parish identity, tradition and togetherness.
For 2026, we had the absolute pleasure of working with Lisa and the Mayo Gaels team to create their A4 landscape GAA club calendar — a piece that celebrates players, volunteers, local heritage and the big moments that shaped the club’s year. Calendars like this don’t just mark dates. They become gifts, keepsakes and connections, especially for people living away from home who treasure something that brings their club and community back into view.
This is a look behind the design.
Building a Calendar That Feels Like Mayo Gaels
The Mayo Gaels colours and crest do a lot of the talking themselves, so our graphic design needed to honour that identity while giving the club’s photography and storytelling plenty of breathing room.
The cover sets the tone straight away — a vibrant collage featuring club members, players, volunteers and supporters arranged in a star-shaped frame over a striking blue-and-gold gradient (Page 1).
It feels energetic, modern and unmistakably Mayo Gaels.
Inside, each month is paired with club imagery, achievements or heritage moments. These aren’t stock photos. They are expressions of real community life — local faces, real memories, shared pride.
Highlighting the Club’s Achievements
O’Mara Cup Victory – A Historic First
Page 2 of the calendar features the Mayo Gaels team who won the O’Mara Cup 2025 — the club’s first ever win after years of close calls.
Seeing that team photo in the calendar brings huge meaning to the community and was an essential inclusion in the design.
Legends Teams & 50-Year Celebrations
On Page 4, the calendar showcases two legends teams who played during the August Bank Holiday weekend as part of the club’s 50-year celebrations.
Players of all ages and abilities took part — the type of club spirit money can’t buy.
Diamond Jubilee Celebrations
Page 6 highlights Fr. Austin Fergus’ 2025 Diamond Jubilee — a beautiful and personal moment for the parish.
The “Did You Know?” Club History Sections
Every monthly spread includes a “Did You Know?” box with snippets of club history:
- The founding meeting in 1975 (Page 5)
- The heritage of Mayo Abbey (Page 7)
- Ballyglass FC’s 50-year story (Page 8)
- Abbey Park’s opening day in 1992 (Page 13)
- The origins of the Flanagan Cup (Page 17)
- The long-running Parish League (Page 19)
- The Facefield “Remember Me” walk (Page 23)
These pieces of history do more than fill space — they deepen the identity of the club and make the calendar a story worth keeping.
Community at the Heart of the Design
Underage Teams
Pages 18 and 20 feature the under 6s, 8s, 9s, 10s and 12s teams — the lifeblood of every rural GAA club.
These spreads are joyful, full of colour, and honour the work of coaches and parents as much as the young players.
Astro “Oscars” Fundraiser
Page 14 captures the Oscars-themed fundraising night, complete with suits, dresses, red carpets and movie-style excitement.
These moments show the community beyond the pitch — people organising, volunteering and pulling together.
Fun Run & Community Events
Pages 22 and 24 highlight more community-focused events such as Gaels Fest and fun runs. These pages add warmth and remind viewers that GAA clubs are woven into social life, not just sport.
A Calendar That Travels Home… Even When Home Is Far Away
One of the loveliest aspects of GAA calendar design is knowing how many of them end up on kitchen walls in:
- Boston
- Sydney
- Toronto
- London
- or wherever Mayo Gaels supporters have landed.
These calendars are reminders of home — a familiar jersey, a local pitch, childhood teammates, club colours, the feeling of belonging.
Lisa and the Mayo Gaels team understood that deeply, and it shaped our design approach. The final product is bright yet meaningful, full of pride without being overdone, and packed with real club moments from across 2025 and into the 2026 season.
Designwest & GAA Club Design Across Ireland
We’ve supported GAA clubs all over Ireland with:
- GAA club calendar design
- GAA programme design
- Club history booklets
- Pitch signage & branding
- Merchandise graphics
- Match day graphics
- Social templates
- Sponsorship packs
- Event posters
Designing for GAA clubs requires sensitivity — these are not corporate bodies. They are families, parishes, communities. The visuals we create need to respect that heritage while keeping things modern, clean and exciting.
The Mayo Gaels calendar is a perfect example of this balance: strong club colours, storytelling imagery, and creative brochure layouts that support both nostalgia and pride
Contact Designwest to discuss your GAA club calendar or community design project.
FAQs
Do Designwest create GAA calendars for clubs outside Mayo?
Absolutely. We design GAA calendars for clubs across Ireland — ladies, men’s, underage and community groups.
Can you design full GAA branding for clubs?
Yes. That includes crests, kits, signage, pitch boards, social content and printed materials.
Do clubs need to supply the photos?
Most do, and we can tidy, enhance or format them as needed. If a club needs photography support, we can help source that too.
Do you design GAA club merchandise?
Yes — hoodies, training tops, supporter packs and more.
Can you create sponsorship layouts inside calendars?
Of course. We can integrate sponsor logos cleanly without overpowering club identity.
Are calendars available in A4, A3 or custom sizes?
Yes. Landscape, portrait or square — whatever suits the club.
Can you help clubs raise funds with calendar sales?
Yes. We help structure layouts and cover designs that maximise interest — especially for diaspora supporters abroad.
Do you work with LGFA and Camogie clubs too?
Every code is welcome. The design principles stay the same: pride, clarity and community.
How long does a GAA calendar design take?
Typically 1–2 weeks depending on the number of photos and revisions.
Do you print the calendars?
Yes. We work with trusted Irish printers for excellent quality and finishing.
Can calendars include club history?
Definitely. Mayo Gaels’ “Did You Know?” sections are a great example (Pages 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 23).
Can Designwest create matching posters or social graphics?
Yes — many clubs use calendar imagery across social media and fundraising campaigns.
Can we feature every age group?
As long as the photos are supplied in good quality, we can include as many teams as you like.
