A FURTHER 22 sets of infant remains have been uncovered by forensic specialists excavating the site of the former mother and baby home in Tuam. 

It brings the total number of remains recovered during the excavation to 33. 

According to the latest report from the Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention at Tuam (ODAIT), all remains recovered so far are infants that were buried in coffins.

The remains, which were recovered between 29 November 2025 to 28 January, are now undergoing forensic analysis. 

The excavation of the St Mary’s site in the Co Galway town is attempting to identify the remains of infants who died at the home between 1925 and 1961.

In 2014, research led by local historian Catherine Corless indicated that 796 babies and young children were buried in a sewage system at the Co Galway institution across that time period.

Archaeologists and other specialists started working at the site on 14 July last year. 

Radiocarbon dating tests have confirmed that the human remains submitted for testing to date are from the premodern era (before 1955) and were buried while the mother and baby home was operating.

The area outlined in blue shows where machine excavation is continuing; the area in red shows where hand excavation is continuing under a temporary tent; the areas marked in green are adjacent to the boundary wall at the south of the site. Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention, Tuam Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention, Tuam

A total of 28 DNA samples from relatives of people who died in the home have been taken and given to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI). The ODAIT is engaging with a further 175 people who have inquired about providing samples. 

To date, over 65 cases are being processed for determination of eligibility, with arrangements being made to take their samples in the coming weeks. Information for those interested in providing a DNA sample is available on the ODAIT’s website. 

The latest report states that seven sets of human remains that were recovered from an area adjacent to the boundary wall at the site last year were buried during the Workhouse era (1841 to 1918). 

Both machine and hand excavations are continuing at the site. The excavations continue to uncover material and objects from the four phases of the site’s history, including a glass baby feeder.

“All evidence recovered is being photographed, catalogued and retained by ODAIT in a dignified and respectful manner consistent with international standards and best practice,” the report states. 

A glass hygienic baby feeder uncovered during the excavation. Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention, Tuam Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention, Tuam

Machine excavation has been completed in the former yard area of the site. This area is now forensically resolved apart from the well shaft and connected drains, where work is continuing. 

Hand excavations are also continuing under the cover of a tent in an area that was identified in historical documents as a “burial ground”.

The recovered evidence from the area is consistent with it being a burial ground from the time of the operation of the mother and baby home, the report states. 

Related Reads

Full-scale excavation at former mother and baby home in Tuam gets underway

Families and survivors to visit Tuam mass grave site ahead of excavation

'It haunts a lot of people': Hope and sadness on streets of Tuam as excavation work begins

A pit which disturbed the burial ground has also been uncovered.

The pit, which is over three metres wide, contains modern building debris consistent with the post-institutional era (1961 onwards). Excavation in the next reporting period will provide more information about this, including its depth. 

The ODAIT said the excavation of comingled infant remains identified during the 2016/2017 excavations in the multi-chambered tank in the memorial garden presents it with “a unique combination of forensic and engineering challenges”. 

Excavators are constructing an above ground replica of a section of the tank “to test varying methodologies and ensure adherence to international standards and best practice”.

Partial replica of the subsurface multi-chambered tank. Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention, Tuam Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention, Tuam

The next technical update will be issued in April.

St Mary’s home for unmarried mothers and their children was run by the Bon Secours Sisters, a religious order of Catholic nuns.

In 2021, Taoiseach Micheál Martin apologised on behalf of the state for the treatment of women and children who were housed in mother and baby homes across Ireland.

The Bon Secours Sisters also offered a “profound apology” after acknowledging the order had “failed to protect the inherent dignity” of women and children in the Tuam home.