36 additional infant remains recovered from Tuam excavation site

36 additional sets of infant human remains were recovered during the most recent reporting period of the ongoing forensic excavation at the site of the former Mother and Baby Institution in Tuam, Co Galway.

There have now been 69 sets of infant human remains recovered from an area of the site identified in historical documents as a "burial ground," the Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention, Tuam (ODAIT) said in its latest update, issued on Friday.

There are no surface markers that indicated the presence of burials at this location, ODAIT said.

The evidence that ODAIT has recovered from this area during the forensic excavation is consistent with the location being a burial ground from the time of the operation of the Mother and Baby Institution.

"Results of excavation indicate that these infants were buried in coffins which have since decayed," ODAIT said in its most recent update, which covered January 29 to March 31.

"The evidence indicates that the majority of coffins were single shouldered with mounts and had been painted white.

"In a small number of instances, two or three individuals were buried in the same coffin."

ODAIT said that within this area, a large feature or area of over 3 metres in width has been identified. Evidence indicates that some burials were disturbed in the creation of this feature through the use of a mechanical digger. Tool marks on the sides and base of this feature provide evidence consistent with the use of a mechanical excavator fitted with a toothed bucket. This feature was then backfilled with sand, gravel, and building debris. An examination of available aerial photography indicates that this disturbance took place sometime after 1977, however, further excavation will assist in establishing a more accurate timeframe for this event. 

Manual excavation continues under the cover of the tented enclosure in the area identified in historical documents as a "burial ground," ODAIT said.

Identification Programme

ODAIT said that during this reporting period, five more family DNA samples have been taken and delivered to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI), bringing the total to 33 samples.

The team will be taking more samples over the coming weeks in Ireland, the UK, and the US.

The identification programme continues as ODAIT engages with people who have come forward to enquire about providing a DNA sample.

A public information campaign will launch in the coming months.

ODAIT is encouraging anyone who believes they may have a family member buried at the site of the former Tuam Mother and Baby Institution to call +353 (0)1 539 1777, email info@dait.ie, or visit our website ODAIT.ie for more information.

Artefacts

Elsewhere in its update, ODAIT said artefacts from various historic periods continue to be recovered.

Items of note include a post-medieval cast copper-alloy keyhole escutcheon. The keyhole is flanked by symmetrical foliate openwork; a winged cherub is located above the keyhole, and a waterbird is underneath.

Escutcheon plate, a decorative keyhole surround. (ODAIT)

Forensic Facility and Mortuary

ODAIT said it is nearing completion of its forensic facility and mortuary in Tuam, which will provide the necessary space for large-scale analysis and storage of human remains, evidence, and artefacts, and will assist ODAIT to continue respecting international standards and best practice.

Currently, ODAIT is availing of a temporary space, which has allowed work to progress. Further information will follow in the coming weeks.

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. The next technical update will be issued in June.