This house was built by Patrick Hefferon about 1857. Patrick and Ellen Hefferon and one son and seven daughters came out from Cork, Ireland, on the 'South Sea' in 1855. They arrived at Port Adelaide and transferred to the 'Yatala' and came down to Normanville. With them on the 'South Sea' were other Irish families who also came to Yankalilla or Normanville: the Dahill, Kearney, and Sheehan families. A number of other Irish families, escaping the dire conditions in Ireland caused by the potato famine, came out to South Australia about this time and settled in the Yankalilla district.

Many of these Irish immigrants, including Patrick Hefferon, were roadmen who worked on the roads in the district. Patrick did quite well for himself as he was able to buy this two acre allotment on Jetty Road in 1864 and then in 1876 he also bought lot 93 for £30 from Septimane Herbert. Patrick died in 1881 and Ellen in 1890.