Borris prospered in the late 1800s as Arthur MacMurrough Kavanagh, the landlord of the time, developed a sawmill and built new cottages for his tenants. He also instigated the construction of the impressive 16-arch viaduct, situated at the lower end of the village. In 1857, his mother Lady Harriet visited Corfu and was impressed by the lace-making industry there. She brought lace making back to Borris and ran it as a cottage industry, providing valuable local employment. Borris Lace soon became famous for its beautiful, intricate patterns and found its way to stately homes as far away asRussia.