Nearly 800 children’s remains found in a sewage tank at an Irish Catholic home will finally face excavation, uncovering a dark chapter in Ireland’s treatment of unmarried mothers and their babies.
At a Glance
- Forensic excavation has begun at a former mother and baby home in Tuam, Ireland, where remains of 800 babies and children are believed to be buried in a sewage tank
- Local historian Catherine Corless uncovered death certificates for 798 children from the home between 1925-1961, but found only two burial records
- The Sisters of Bon Secours, who ran the home for unwed mothers, issued a “profound apology” for failing to respect the dignity of women and children
- A two-year excavation led by forensic experts aims to identify remains through DNA testing and provide dignified reburials
The Discovery That Shocked Ireland
In 2014, historian Catherine Corless uncovered a horrifying truth about the Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, County Galway. Her research revealed death certificates for 798 children who died at the home between 1925 and 1961, but burial records existed for only two. The subsequent investigation found human remains in what had been a sewage tank on the grounds, confirming Corless’s suspicions about where these children’s bodies had been disposed of. The discovery exposed the harsh reality of how unwed mothers and their “illegitimate” children were treated in mid-20th century Ireland under the care of religious institutions.
The remains discovered in the underground sewage structure ranged from 35 weeks gestation to 3 years old, indicating that many infants and toddlers died at the home. This finding sparked national outrage and led to a formal government inquiry into mother and baby homes across Ireland. The Tuam home, operated by the Sisters of Bon Secours until it closed in 1961, was just one of many institutions where unmarried pregnant women were sent to give birth away from public view, often forced to work in harsh conditions while their children faced neglect.
A Complex Excavation Begins
After years of delays, forensic teams have now begun the difficult process of excavating the site. Led by Daniel MacSweeney, the excavation is expected to take two years and involves carefully removing remains from what locals call “the pit.” The work will be painstaking, with experts attempting to preserve and analyze the remains for potential DNA identification. For families with missing relatives who may have died at the home, this excavation represents their first real chance at closure after decades of uncertainty about their loved ones’ final resting places.
“It’s been a long, long journey,” said Catherine Corless, whose research brought this tragedy to light. “I never, ever understand how they could do that to little babies, little toddlers. Beautiful little vulnerable children.”
MacSweeney has described the excavation as “unique and incredibly complex,” noting that survivors and family members will be permitted to view the work. The goal is to identify as many remains as possible through DNA testing, returning identified remains to families for proper burial. Any unidentified remains will receive dignified reburials with appropriate ceremonies. The site has been prepared with specialized structures to protect both the remains and the forensic teams during the lengthy excavation process.
A National Reckoning
The Tuam excavation is part of a larger national reckoning with Ireland’s treatment of women and children in church-run institutions. A major government inquiry completed in 2021 found that approximately 9,000 children died in 18 mother-and-baby homes across Ireland, primarily from respiratory infections and gastroenteritis – diseases often preventable with proper care. The report revealed mortality rates in these homes were nearly twice the national average, indicating serious neglect. Following these findings, Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin issued a formal apology on behalf of the state.
The Sisters of Bon Secours, who ran the Tuam home, have issued a “profound apology” for failing to “protect the inherent dignity” of the women and children in their care. This acknowledgment comes far too late for the thousands who suffered and died in these institutions. The excavation serves as a powerful reminder of how societal stigma and religious doctrine combined to create a system where unmarried mothers and their children were hidden away and often subjected to neglect, abuse, and disrespect even in death.
For Annette McKay, whose sister is believed to be among the children buried at Tuam, the excavation represents a chance to finally bring her sibling home. Like many families affected by this tragedy, she has waited decades for answers about what happened to her relative. The Tuam excavation may provide closure for some families while forcing Ireland to confront uncomfortable truths about its treatment of vulnerable women and children under the influence of church-run institutions throughout much of the 20th century.
