June 6, 2024
The tradition of Borris Lace dates to Borris House, located in the centre of the village, and specifically Lady Harriet Kavanagh. Income from lace making relieved poverty for local women during the ravages of the Great Famine (1846-1848). Lady Harriet was well travelled and there are theories as to how she may have been influenced by the lace she came across in her travels - old Greek Lace, Venice, Genoese and Milanese lace. Lady Harriet was artistic and drew the designs herself. She then taught women on the estate how to work them.