A long-awaited forensic excavation is now underway in Tuam, County Galway, at the former site of a mother and baby home once operated by the Sisters of Bon Secours. Nearly 800 children, born to unmarried mothers between 1925 and 1961, are believed to be buried there. The investigation follows years of public pressure after local historian Catherine Corless uncovered death records for 798 children, many presumed to have been buried in a disused sewage tank on the grounds.
The children, many born to women facing societal stigma and harsh treatment, reportedly died from malnutrition, measles, tuberculosis, and other illnesses. Their burials lacked proper dignity, with no coffins or headstones. Families and advocates, including survivor relatives like Annette McKay, hope the excavation will provide long-overdue recognition and a respectful memorial. The Irish government formally apologized in 2021 after an inquiry found nearly 9,000 children died in similar institutions across the country.
The Sisters of Bon Secours have expressed “profound regret” for the past neglect, and compensation has been offered. Catherine Corless continues to advocate for remembrance, questioning how such vulnerable children were treated so inhumanely under religious care. Meanwhile, relatives like McKay remain determined to honor lost family members, even if only small remains are recovered.
As work begins, the Tuam site stands as a somber reminder of a painful chapter in Ireland’s history. Relatives and the local community hope this process will bring healing, accountability, and ensure that the lives of these children are never forgotten.