Denis J. Moriarty was born in Sneem, County Kerry, Ireland. He graduated from Mount Melleray College, County Waterford, where he played Gaelic football and hurling. Denis was a member of the Sneem Rowing and Cycling Clubs. He won many County Kerry Cycling Championships and in 1949 placed third in the 2-mile National Championship. Denis came to the United States in March of 1950 and settled in Indianapolis.

Denis began working for the Chevrolet Body Division of General Motors before being drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Denis served from 1951 to 1953. Upon discharge, he went to work for Chrysler Corporation in Indianapolis. Denis was a member of St. Philip Parish from 1950 to 1956.

In 1956, Denis married Ita O’Brien of Limerick, Ireland and they became members of Cathedral parish. Denis is a 1960 graduate of Purdue University with a degree in Drafting and Mechanical Technology. Denis joined the Indiana Department of Transportation’s Drafting and Mapping division in 1962. Denis has been a member of Little Flower parish since 1962. Denis and Ita have 5 sons and 9 grand children. 

As a charter member of the Kevin Barry Division of the AOH, Denis has held many offices including President, State President, and National Organizer. He has served as Marshal, Recording Secretary, Financial Secretary, Division Historian, newsletter editor, Standing Committee Chairman, and Treasurer. In 1965, Denis won the National Gold Medal history contest for an essay on soldier priest Father Duffy of the Fighting 69th. Working for the state of Indiana, Denis created artwork for every governor from Matt Welsh (1962) to Evan Bayh. In 1970 he was named Indiana State Chairman for the Freedom for All Ireland Committee. As a member of the Program committee for the AOH National Convention, Denis was instrumental in bringing the AOH National Convention to Indianapolis in 1970. At the AOH Convention, in Killarney 1978, Denis as AOH State President and Father Murray of the University of Notre Dame, established the Notre Dame Hibernian fund.

In 1995, Denis was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash by Governor Evan Bayh for his many years of service to the State of Indiana. In 1998 Denis was awarded the AOH President’s award as a person who embodies the Hibernian motto of Friendship, Unity, and Christian Charity. Denis has served as a delegate at several AOH National conventions in 6 different decades from the 1960s to 2010s.

In recognition of your Catholic faith, your support of your family, and your proud Irish heritage, we are honored to sponsor an annual AOH Scholarship in the name of our father, Denis J. Moriarty. Thank you dad for your love and support, we love you and are very proud of you. With love from your family

Gerard Moriarty

Denis J. Moriarty, Jr.

David Moriarty

Aidan Moriarty 

Brendan Moriarty