Officials in Ireland began pre-excavation at the former Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, County Galway. The forensic team digs for remains of nearly 800 babies and young children.
What Was the Tuam Home?
Established in 1925 and closed in 1961, the institution was run by Catholic nuns from the Bon Secours order. It detained unwed pregnant women and their newborns—many of whom were forced into labor, separated from their babies, and compelled to give them up for adoption. Historian Catherine Corless, whose research first blew the lid off this tragedy, documented 798 deaths, of which only two had recorded burials. That left 796 unaccounted for, suspected to have been placed in a disused septic tank on the property.
The Pre-Excavation Phase
Beginning on June 16, forensic teams led by the Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention, Tuam (ODAIT) secured the site with high fencing, 24-hour security, and controlled access. Over the next four weeks, ground-penetrating radar, soil sampling, and topographical surveys will detail the planned excavation area. Full forensic excavation is scheduled to commence in mid-July and may take up to two years to complete.
Scope of the Forensic Operation
The planned excavation will be methodical and highly technical, overseen by Daniel MacSweeney, Director of ODAIT. Every recovered fragment—from cartilage to bone—is being catalogued, analyzed, and preserved to the highest international forensic standards.
. DNA samples will be collected from relatives to facilitate identification and possible reunification. Unidentified remains will be accorded dignified, respectful burials.
A National Reckoning
This excavation is the culmination of more than a decade of persistent advocacy by Corless and survivors’ families, casting a harsh spotlight on Ireland’s “hidden” abuses in mother-and-baby homes and Magdalene laundries. Corless expressed mixed emotions, saying she feels both relief that work has started and regret over the suffering that endured before action was taken.
Historical and Wider Context
Nationwide impact: The Tuam site is one among 18 mother-and-baby homes investigated in Ireland; roughly 9,000 children died across these institutions, largely from infection and neglect. Government response: Ireland’s 2021 Commission report led to a formal state apology. Legislation passed in July 2022 enabled exhumations under the Institutional Burials Act, and €9.4 million has been allocated for Tuam’s excavation. Institutional accountability: The Bon Secours Sisters issued an apology and pledged to engage with a “Restorative Recognition Scheme,” though public pressure remains for full accountability.
Looking Ahead
Relatives and survivors have been invited to join a Family and Survivors Day on July 8, a rare opportunity to observe the commencement of work under strict forensic conditions. While expectations are that some remains can be identified and returned, MacSweeney stresses that complexity—from mixed remains dating back to the Great Famine through the 1960s—could extend the process and challenge complete identification.
Conclusion
The excavation marks a pivotal moment in Ireland’s confrontation with its institutional past. It brings long-awaited closure to affected families, honors the memories of hundreds of children, and sheds light on the systemic injustices of a shameful era. As forensic teams begin their solemn work, every recovered fragment carries the hope of vindication and respect for lives once erased.
