Additional Infant Remains Discovered at Tuam Site
Experts conducting excavations at the former mother and baby home in Tuam, County Galway, western Ireland, have uncovered the remains of an additional 36 infants. This recent discovery raises the total number of infant remains found at the site to 69.
The excavation was commissioned by the Irish government following public outrage after revelations that babies and young children had been interred in a mass grave at the location.
The issue first emerged in 2014 when amateur historian Catherine Corless disclosed that 796 children had died while residents of the home but lacked burial records.
The mother and baby home, which provided shelter for unmarried mothers and their children, operated for 36 years from 1925 to 1961. It was managed by the Bon Secours Sisters, a Catholic religious order. During their administration, numerous children died due to malnutrition and disease.
The Bon Secours Sisters have since issued an apology, acknowledging that the children were
"buried in a disrespectful and unacceptable way"at the Tuam home.
Details on Burial Practices and Excavation Progress
Following a test excavation in 2017 that confirmed the presence of a mass, unmarked grave, the government authorized a comprehensive forensic excavation of the site. This operation commenced in the summer prior to the latest update, with the excavation team providing monthly or bi-monthly reports on their findings.
According to the most recent update, the excavation results suggest that the infants were
"buried in coffins which have since decayed". The report further states:
"The evidence indicates that the majority of coffins were single shouldered with mounts and had been painted white."
Additionally, the report notes that in some instances,
"two or three individuals were buried in the same coffin."
The remains are being carefully exhumed with the aim of identifying them through DNA analysis, so they can be returned to their families for proper burial.
This latest information release represents the sixth update since the excavation began and covers the period from 29 January to 31 March 2026.
During this timeframe, five additional DNA samples were collected from individuals who believe they may have relatives buried at the site, bringing the total number of DNA samples submitted to 33.
The excavation team has reiterated their appeal for anyone who suspects they have a family member buried at the Tuam site to come forward and contact them.
