Archive · 19 Jun 2025
Excavation Begins at Irish Home for Hundreds of Infant Remains
Imagine a place in Ireland where young, unmarried mothers were sent to give birth.
These homes, run by nuns, weren't always kind.
Sadly, many babies died there.
Now, they're starting to dig up the old home to find the remains of nearly 800 babies.
They want to figure out who they were and give them a proper burial.
This is because a long time ago, these babies were buried in a disrespectful way, and the government wants to make things right and apologize for the mistakes that were made.
Forensic excavation is set to begin at the former Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, Ireland.
The excavation aims to identify and rebury the remains of 796 infants believed to be interred at the site.
The home, run by Catholic nuns, housed unmarried mothers who were often separated from their children.
A 2017 test excavation confirmed the presence of infant remains in an underground septic tank.
The project follows revelations of high infant mortality and mistreatment within Ireland's mother and baby homes.
- Who
- Authorities, survivors, and families of those who died at the home.
- What
- Forensic excavation of the Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home to identify and rebury remains.
- When
- Preparatory work started, full-scale excavation scheduled to begin July 14th.
- Where
- Tuam, County Galway, Ireland, at the former Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home.
- Why
- To recover, analyze, memorialize, and provide dignified reburial for the remains of infants.
Survivors and Families
Catholic Church & Skeptics
Justice and Closure
Survivors and Families
Seeking justice and closure for the deceased infants.
Catholic Church & Skeptics
Initially faced skepticism and dismissal of their concerns.
- Location
- Tuam, County Galway, Ireland
- Institution
- Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home
- Operator
- Catholic nuns
- Estimated Infant Remains
- 796
- Investigation Start Date
- 2016
- Previous Findings
- Infant remains in septic tank (2017)
- Supervising Body
- Office of the Director of Authorized Intervention (ODAIT)