Ireland begins excavation to uncover remains of 800 babies at mother and baby home
- Investigators found a mass grave containing the remains of around 800 infants and young children at the Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home in Tuam.
- The excavation initiated in June 2025 is part of an ongoing effort to address historical abuses associated with mother-and-baby homes in Ireland.
- As the excavation progresses, it highlights a crucial step toward reconciling with the past and honoring the deceased children.
In June 2025, Irish officials initiated excavations at the Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, County Galway. This church-run institution operated from the 1920s until its closure in 1961 and housed unwed mothers and their children, with records indicating that around 800 babies and young children died there. The excavation follows years of public outcry regarding the treatment of women and children in similar homes across the country, highlighting Ireland's troubled past with church-run institutions. Historian Catherine Corless had uncovered death certificates for nearly 800 children but only found a burial record for one. Investigators later discovered a mass grave in a sewage structure on the property, where DNA analysis determined the remains belonged to infants and young children ranging from 35 weeks gestation to 3 years old. Such findings are part of a broader investigation that revealed that approximately 9,000 children died across 18 mother-and-baby homes during the 20th century in Ireland. Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin acknowledged the excavation as a difficult and necessary reckoning with the past. Key individuals involved in the exhumation process, like Daniel MacSweeney, emphasized the complexity of the excavation and the importance of returning identified remains to family members with dignity. Additionally, there will be forensic examination and preservation of remains, while unidentified ones will be buried respectfully. This excavation is not just a technical operation but a significant step in addressing historical injustices faced by unwed mothers and their children in Ireland. Survivors and the families of those buried at the site will soon have the opportunity to witness the ongoing work, reflecting a commitment to healing and acknowledgment of past wrongs. The excavation is expected to take two years, marking an important chapter in Ireland's journey to confront its painful legacy regarding mother-and-baby homes.