Situated in the beautiful Barrow Valley in County Carlow, Borris House is one of the most picturesque country houses in Ireland.
Constructed in the Tudor style, Borris House was built in 1731 by Morgan Kavanagh. It is the hereditary home of the MacMorrough Kavanagh family, former Celtic kings of Leinster, and the famous 12th century Kavanagh Charter Horn remains on display in the house today.
In 1798 it was badly damaged but was carefully restored in 1820 by Richard and William Vitruvius Morrison. The ornate Stapleton ceilings and the Chapel of St Moling are both architectural highlights, as is the antique furniture, carpets, porcelain, silver and paintings on display. A not-for-profit famine lace industry was founded at Borris House by Lady Harriet Kavanagh to provide employment for the women of the village during the Great Famine of Ireland in the 19th century—today’s visitors will hear this famous story and see a small selection of Borris Lace for themselves.
A walk through the gardens of Borris House will take in the breathtaking views of Mount Leinster, the Blackstairs Mountains and the Barrow Valley. The newly-established Lace Garden takes inspiration from Borris Lace, using symbols and shapes from the lace as well as a white colour palette of plants.
In the parkland and church paddock, visitors will find a rich selection of stunning trees like the Lebanon cedar, fern leaf beech and tulip tree, as well as some exotic trees, shrubs and flora. Around the house, visitors can walk along the woodland paths, enjoy the fairy trail along the way and visit the 18th-century ice house.