“Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable,” stated Alison Lowry at the launch of her exhibition, which has been described as a powerful artistic response to the Magdalene Laundries.

Archbishop Michael Jackson thanked the Gardaí and everyone else who had worked tirelessly to recover items stolen from St Michan’s Church.

“It is a reminder of our rich Christian heritage, providing a wonderful link to life in the Irish Church over a millennium ago,” says Jesuit.

Extensive maintenance works have been carried out at the Franciscan Friary in Askeaton.