Irish lace cord is a techmique used in Irish Lace crochet also known as padded cord. This technique tends to mimick tatting crochet style. It's a really simple technique. I much prefer using nylon crochet thread to work this technique because of the way the finished piece looks.

Link to Tutorial
http://www.ferosah.com/pdf/cordedstarburstdoily.pdf

Happy Crocheting
Ferosa Harold