Infant Remains Found at Former Tuam Mother and Baby Home Site
An excavation at the site of the former St Mary’s mother and baby home in Tuam, Co Galway, has uncovered infant remains. Specialists began work at the site in July to identify children who died there between 1925 and 1961.
Background and Historical Context
Local historian Catherine Corless's 2014 research revealed that 796 babies and young children were buried in a sewage system at the institution during that period. The site has drawn significant attention due to these findings.
Recent Discoveries and Ongoing Research
The Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention, Tuam (ODAIT), responsible for the excavation, reported that they have recovered seven sets of human remains near underground vaulted structures.
Forensic experts confirmed these remains are from infants. Age-at-death analysis and radiocarbon dating are underway, but it is not yet clear whether the remains date from the workhouse era (1841–1918), the military era (1918–1925), or the mother and baby home era (1925–1961).
"Initial assessment indicates that these skeletal remains belong to infants and an analysis will be carried out to estimate age at death."
The analysis to determine the era of origin is expected to take at least three months.
Summary
This investigation aims to respectfully identify and analyze the remains of infants from Tuam’s former mother and baby home, shedding light on a tragic chapter in local history.