AIB has launched ‘The Toughest Season’ photobook, a pictorial account of how hurling, football and camogie communities came together to support one another throughout one of the toughest years in our history.
The publication is a partnership between AIB as the sponsor of the GAA and Camogie Club Championships and the All Ireland Senior Football Championship, Sportsfile, the GAA and the Camogie Association.
The book captures in 120 images the resilience of clubs, fans, and communities before, during and after the COVID 19 lockdown.
All proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to the AIB Together Fund supporting Age NI, Alone, FoodCloud, Soar and Pieta House.
In the first few weeks of the first lockdown, 9,000 GAA club members provided support for almost 35,000 people.
Along with Sportsfile imagery, the book is comprised of photographs from individuals across Ireland who have visually shared their own stories.
“The Toughest Season is a vivid celebration of all that is great about Gaelic Games and the communities in which they live and thrive,” said AIB CEO Colin Hunt.
“This book captures not just remarkable athletic skills in adverse conditions but also how GAA clubs reacted during the pandemic to support those in need in their communities.”
“You will see in this book the emotion generated within communities by on-field victory and defeat. But, off the pitch, you will also see club members getting together to ensure meals were delivered to homes during lockdown.”
“This community spirit and resilience is the embodiment of the GAA and what makes it such an immense organisation by any standards”.
The powerful Irish proverb, Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine – people live in the shelter of others – expresses the spirit of this collective response to the pandemic and the foundation that Gaelic Games provides in community sustainability across the island of Ireland.
The book can be bought at all good bookstores and online
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