Initiated by Lady Carbery in 1825, a time when there was a worldwide revival in the art of lace making. The lace associated with Rathbarry was know as sprigging lace so called because it was shaped like a sprig or spray. In 2000 the Tidy Towns Committee took upon themselves to restore this building to its former glory using traditional methods. this resulted in a major award in the Green Town 2000 competition.