28/09/2026
Vale Denis Bratton ❤️☘️
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Denis Bratton, one of Claddagh’s much-loved Honorary Members and a wonderful member of the Irish community in Western Australia.
Born in Armagh City on 30 October 1936, Denis was a proud Armagh man who carried his love of home, family, sport and community with him throughout his life.
Denis was educated at Christian Brothers Grammar School and was a member and player of the Harps GAA Club, representing both County Armagh and Ulster. He went on to work with the Ordnance Survey in the UK before returning to the North, to join BKS Surveys in Coleraine. Denis proudly recalled his contribution to the development of the motorways in Ulster, before setting off for Australia with his beloved wife Patricia and their two daughters.
After arriving in WA, Denis worked as a photogrammetrist and aerial mapping surveyor before returning to study and embarking on a teaching career.
His contribution to the Irish community here was immense. Denis was part of the inaugural committee of the GAA in WA, serving as both Treasurer and Secretary as well as playing. He joined The Australian Irish Heritage Association WA in 1996, initially as Treasurer, and later served as President for 11 years. He was a Life Member of AIHA, a Life Member of Tuart Hill Swimming Club and, alongside Patricia, was a co-recipient of the Brendan Award in recognition of their contribution to the Irish community.
And then there was Claddagh.
A few years ago, Denis generously took part in our Claddagh Oral History Project, sitting down with Claddagh volunteer Kieran Aherne to share the story of his life, his journey from Armagh to Perth and the experiences that shaped him.
We are so grateful that Denis shared his story with us.
We have Denis’s voice. His stories. His memories. His wonderful sense of humour. We can hear him talking about arriving in Fremantle on New Year’s Day in 1967, stepping into a Perth summer of 105 degrees fahrenheit and wondering what on earth they had come to! We hear about his beloved Gaelic football, his family, his career, his connection to Ireland and the community he found here.
And, in one of the simplest and most poignant reflections in his interview, Denis said:
“I never felt unwelcome.”
We think that says a lot about the life he built here.
Denis’s story is now preserved for generations to come. His full interview and transcript are held by the State Library of Western Australia as part of the Migration Voices Archive, alongside the stories of the other Irish seniors who generously participated in our Oral History Project. The project was created to celebrate and preserve the shared heritage of the Irish community in Western Australia.
You can read Denis’s story in From Home to Home: Oral Histories of Irish Seniors in Western Australia, and listen to Denis telling his own story through the State Library of Western Australia.
📖 Read Denis’s story:
https://claddagh.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/From-Home-to-Home-Oral-Histories-of-Irish-Seniors-in-Western-Australia.pdf
🎧 Listen to Denis’s full oral history:
https://purl.slwa.wa.gov.au/slwa_b6593057_2
We extend our deepest sympathy and love to our wonderful Treasurer Patricia, who recently celebrated 65 years of marriage with Denis, and to their daughter Ailsa, grandchildren Cadwgan and his wife Emma, and Niamh and her partner Enda, and to all of Denis’s extended family and friends.
We also remember their beloved daughter Deirdre, who sadly passed away on New Year’s Eve in 2021. We hope Denis and Deirdre are together again. ❤️
Denis gave so much to the Irish community in Western Australia. He was a gentleman, a storyteller, a sportsman, a teacher, a volunteer, a proud Armagh man, and above all, a devoted husband, father and grandfather.
We feel incredibly privileged that Denis was part of the Claddagh family and that, through his oral history, a little piece of him will always remain with us.
Rest easy, Denis. You will be greatly missed.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. ☘️❤️
Denis Bratton
30 October 1936 – 27 September 2026
