Four more sets of human remains have been recovered during the ongoing forensic excavation at the site of the former Mother and Baby Institution in Tuam, Co Galway.
"The manner of burial of these four sets of human remains was consistent with that of the seven sets of human remains reported in the previous technical update," the Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention, Tuam (ODAIT) said in its latest technical update on Friday.
"Initial assessments indicate that remains of all eleven individuals recovered to date belong to infants and were coffined," the ODAIT said.
"Forensic analysis is underway."
The ODAIT said on Friday that during its latest reporting period - October 30 through November 28 - excavation continued in the site of the former workhouse yard while machine excavation continued, followed by hand excavation, under a temporary tent erected during the reporting period at another area.
The excavation continues to uncover, recover, and identify materials from four main eras in the site’s history: Post-institutional (1961 onwards); Institutional / the era of the Mother and Baby Institution (1925 to 1961); Military (1918 to 1925); and Workhouse (1841 to 1918).
Evidence of additional graves
The ODAIT said on Friday that among the notable evidence recently recovered was "evidence of additional graves of child or infant size" in an area that corresponds with an area labelled as “burial ground” in historical documents referenced by the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation.
"Despite these historical references, there were no surface or ground level indications of the potential for a burial ground at this location prior to excavation," the ODAIT said.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.
"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."
Other notable recoveries
The ODAIT further said on Friday that among its notable recoveries was "large amounts of animal bone, consistent with the domestic functions of the site during the workhouse, military and institution phases," as well as "numerous material and objects from the four phases of the site history."
Objects recovered during this reporting period included fragments of the institution building’s roof capping, an OXO bottle, and datable discarded items such as crisp packets, the ODAIT said.
"All evidence recovered is being photographed, catalogued, and retained by ODAIT in a dignified and respectful manner consistent with international standards and best practice," the ODAIT said.
About the Tuam Mother and Baby Home in Co Galway
The Tuam Mother and Baby Home was an institution for unmarried mothers and their children. Run by the Bon Secours Sisters, it operated from 1925 to 1961.
In 2014, local amateur historian Catherine Corless was researching the Tuam Home's history when she discovered records showing that 796 children had died at the Home, but burial records could not be found, sparking suspicion of a mass grave at the site.
“Significant quantities” of human remains were discovered at the site in 2016 and 2017.
In January 2021, nearly six years after the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation was launched, the Final Report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes was published.
Including the Tuam Home, the Commission investigated 18 homes across Ireland, ultimately finding that "a total of about 9,000 children died in the institutions under investigation - about 15% of all the children who were in the institutions."
The report later states: "There is no single explanation for the appalling level of infant mortality in Irish mother and baby homes."
The report says that "a particular catalyst" for the formation of the investigative Commission "was the discovery by Catherine Corless of the possible burial arrangements for children who died in the Tuam Children’s Home."
Following the publication of the report, the Irish Government offered a formal apology to victims, survivors, and their relatives.
In November 2021, the Irish Government published its Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions. Part of the plan was a commitment to "advance burials legislation to support the excavation, exhumation and, where possible, identification of remains, and their dignified reburial."
In July 2022, the Institutional Burials Act became law, allowing exhumations to take place at former Mother and Baby Homes across Ireland. The Irish Government established ODAIT as part of the Act that October, and in May 2023, Daniel MacSweeney was tasked with overseeing the excavations of children's remains at the site at Tuam.
Pre-excavation works began at the Tuam site in June 2025, and the excavation commenced on July 14.
The excavations, which are expected to take 24 months to complete, continue, though work will pause for the Christmas and New Year period.
The next technical update will be issued in early February 2026.
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