In 1856, Peter Gillespie lived close to this ruin, at the top of the field which lies behind it. There is a footprint there of his house. His son ended his days in this old ruin by the side of the Sixtowns road. This building may have been the home of Ann Holly, who ran a small shop there at a time. She was a bit of a character, by all accounts and did not suffer fools gladly. Some of the stories might be better not to be printed.
Mickey himself, was a popular character in the area, who had a name for being a fine singer and a handy boxer. Unfortunately for Mickey, it cost him a while in Derry jail. He was involved in a tragic incident with a neighbour and perhaps relation, a Gillespie too, while coming home from Draperstown fair. He called into a pub and as was often the case, with a bit of drink taken, a fight broke out between the two men. Sother, although he wanted nothing to do with fighting, eventually hit the other man and he fell back, hitting his head off the wall and he died. Sother was arrested and charged with murder and was sent to Derry jail until his trial. Fortunately, good sense prevailed and the judge, realising that this was a tragic accident, and his actions were not of murderous intent, he acquitted Mickey of all charges.
Mickey ended living alone in this house and when the thatched side of the house fell in, he lived in the other part of the house. He finally moved down to stay with Pat (Butler) McNeill in Mulnavoo where he later died. Pat may have been related to Mickey.
