The local volunteer historian who uncovered details of a mass grave at the former Mother and Baby Home in Tuam has been honoured with a human rights award.

Four years ago, Catherine Corless discovered official records showing that 798 infants and children had died at the home.

In March, a Commission of Investigation announced that it had found "a significant number of human remains" on the site of the home which had been run until the early 1960's by the Bon Secours Sisters.

Ms Corless believes most of the almost 800 infants and children are buried on the site, part of which had a local authority estate built on it in the 1970s.

President Michael D Higgins previously described the "horrifying" revelations of mass graves at the Tuam site as another necessary step in "blowing open the locked doors of a hidden Ireland".

The Bar of Ireland Human Rights Award has been presented to Ms Corless for her "tireless work" on the issue.

She received a commissioned bronze sculpture by award winning artist Séamus Gill.

An Expert Technical Group, established following the commission's findings, has been exploring possible options for managing the site in the context of internationally accepted best practices.

It has now reported to Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Katherine Zappone, who said she intends to publish the document after bringing it to Government.

After the commission's announcement, Ms Corless said it was "wonderful and emotional" that the truth had been revealed.

She said she wanted survivors of the former Bons Secours home for unmarried mothers to be consulted to see what they would like to happen to the remains.