The Magdalene Laundries were institutions in Ireland, operated from the 18th to the late 20th century, primarily for women considered "fallen" or immoral. These facilities were run by religious orders, where women, often single mothers or those who had been sexually abused, were sent to work in harsh conditions, doing laundry and other domestic tasks. Many women in the Magdalene Laundries faced physical and emotional abuse, and they were often isolated from their families and communities. The institutions have been the subject of significant criticism and investigations, leading to public apologies and calls for accountability from the Irish government and the Catholic Church.