Archive · 31 Jul 2025
Tuam Mother and Baby Home: Mass Grave Exhumation Begins in Ireland
In Ireland, a sad discovery was made: a mass grave holding the remains of hundreds of babies and young children.
These children lived in a home for unmarried mothers, where conditions were very difficult, and sadly, many died.
A woman looking into local history found out about these children and how they were buried, which was very unfair.
Now, people are working to find the remains and give them a proper burial, because they deserve to be remembered.
Excavation began at the former Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, Ireland, to recover remains.
The home, run by Catholic nuns, operated between 1925 and 1961 and housed unmarried mothers and children.
Nearly 800 infants and young children are estimated to be buried at the site, a mass grave.
Catherine Corless, a local historian, uncovered the high mortality rates and lack of burial records.
Survivors and relatives seek to identify remains, find closure, and address historical injustices.
- Who
- Infants and young children who died at the Tuam home, unmarried mothers, the Bon Secours Sisters, survivors, relatives, Catherine Corless, and various officials.
- What
- The exhumation of a mass grave containing the remains of nearly 800 infants and young children at a former mother and baby home in Tuam, Ireland.
- When
- The excavation began recently, following historical investigations and public outcry.
- Where
- Tuam, Ireland, at the former Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home.
- Why
- To recover and identify the remains, provide closure for survivors and relatives, and address the historical injustices.
Advocates & Survivors
Local Community
Handling of Remains
Advocates & Survivors
Support the exhumation and identification of remains to provide closure and proper burial.
Local Community
Some locals believe the site should remain undisturbed.
- Location
- Tuam, Ireland
- Institution
- Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home
- Years of Operation
- 1925-1961
- Estimated Burials
- Approximately 800
- Primary Operator
- Bon Secours Sisters
- Discoverer
- Catherine Corless
