Further remains uncovered during Tuam ecavation
By Cillian Sherlock, PA
Further sets of infant remains have been identified, as an excavation team confirmed a burial ground from the time of the operation of a mother and baby home.
The excavation of the site of St Mary’s mother and baby home in Tuam, Co. Galway, is attempting to identify the remains of infants who died at the home between 1925 and 1961.
Archaeologists and other specialists started working at the site in July.
In 2014, research led by local historian Catherine Corless indicated that 796 babies and young children were buried in a sewage system at the Co Galway institution across that time period.
The Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention Tuam (ODAIT), which is undertaking the work, issued an update on its work on Friday.
It said excavations in one part of the site have revealed evidence of additional graves of child or infant size.
This area corresponds to part of the area labelled as “burial ground” in historical documents referenced by the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation (MBHCOI).
There had been no surface or ground-level indications of the potential for a burial ground at this location prior to excavation.
The ODAIT said the presence of burials at this location has now been confirmed.
It said: “The layout and size of the graves is consistent evidence that, at this part of the site, there is a burial ground from the time of the operation of the Mother and Baby Institution.”
In the update, it said an additional four sets of human remains have been recovered in the area.
The manner of burial of these four sets is consistent with the previous seven sets reported earlier.
The ODAIT said: “Initial assessments indicate that the remains of all 11 individuals recovered to date belong to infants and were coffined.
“Forensic analysis is underway.”
St Mary’s home for unmarried mothers and their children was run by the Bon Secours Sisters, a religious order of Catholic nuns.
In 2021, Taoiseach Micheál Martin apologised on behalf of the state for the treatment of women and children who were housed in mother and baby homes across Ireland.
The Bon Secours Sisters also offered a “profound apology” after acknowledging the order had “failed to protect the inherent dignity” of women and children in the Tuam home.
