Heron and Cleary`s (Johnny Lawrie) house

There were originally two houses on this site but unfortunately what we see is all that is left of them. The houses were thatched and semi detached and the Cleary family lived in one of them and the Heron family lived in the other. In 1856 there James Heron and Lawrence Cleary are living in these two houses. By 1901, John Heron and his wife, Ellen, are living in one house along with their daughter, Maryanne. Ten years later John and Ellen Heron are still there along with their son Frank. Another son Frank is missing from the list and probably working elsewhere.

Lawrence Cleary is listed as head of the house in 1856. In 1901 John 50 and his wife Ann 43 have two daughters, Kate 25 and Annie 22 and a son John 19. It is understandable that the se people were known as the Johnnie Lawries, in order to distinguish them from other Cleary families. Come 1911, there is only widow Annie, daughter Ann and son John, living in this house. Also living in the house are nephews,  John and Joe Murray as well as, niece Mary Cleary.

Michael Heron was a cousin of James Heron and even though he was born in Strabane , he spent most of his life in Sixtowns. Mickey as he was fondly known, was an agricultural labourer and worked mostly as a shepherd.