Tuam Mother and Baby Home Excavation Underway

Excavation has begun at the former Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, County Galway, Ireland, where nearly 800 babies and young children are believed to be buried in a disused sewage tank. The institution, operated by Catholic nuns from 1925 to 1961, housed unmarried pregnant women and their children, many of whom died due to neglect, malnutrition, and disease. Historian Catherine Corless's 2014 research uncovered death certificates for 796 children with few burial records, leading to national and international outrage and a state apology in 2021. The excavation, overseen by the Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention (ODAIT), is expected to last up to two years, with survivors and families allowed to observe the work. Remains identified through forensic analysis will be returned to relatives, while others will receive a dignified reburial. The project represents a significant step in Ireland's response to institutional abuse and mistreatment of unmarried mothers and their children.