Described as a uniquely complex project, the excavation of 22 per cent of the former grounds of the Mother and Baby institution in Tuam officially began on Monday this week.
The Tuam Babies story became an international headline following the work of local historian Catherine Corless, who revealed the lack of burial records for some 796 babies born in the institution and believed to have been improperly laid to rest in a septic tank. For their families, this excavation offers long-awaited closure.
“The first objective is to recover all of the human remains from the site where they are manifestly inappropriately buried and rebury them with respect and dignity, following a consultative process with families where possible,” explained Daniel MacSweeney, Director of Authorised Intervention Tuam (ODAIT ).
“This will be challenging for many reasons,” he said. “We also intend to reassociate or individualise human remains that may be commingled. We seek to identify those human remains, but this depends on DNA being recoverable and family members coming forward to give DNA. We will work to establish the causes and circumstances of death.”
To date, DNA samples have been taken from only 14 people under current guidelines, which prioritise the elderly or vulnerable. However, MacSweeney confirmed that 40 to 50 people have come forward over the past two years, with a further 30 donors making contact with the team as the excavation’s start date drew closer.
A uniquely complex process
Leading the ODAIT’s excavation team is Senior Forensic Consultant, Dr Niamh McCullagh. Dr McCullagh previously led the preliminary excavation in 2016/2017, which confirmed the presence of remains ranging from 35 foetal weeks to around three years old, radiocarbon dated to the home’s operation between 1925 and 1961.
“Nine years later, here we are. This time, the State has acknowledged and formally accepts this evidence in the provision of legislation and resources to support the recovery of these infants and children. The legislation also allows ODAIT to determine if there are remains of other children or residents potentially present at the site.”
The excavation, expected to take 18 months to two years, will begin in the top right corner of the site, which in recent years had been used as a playground and recreational green area, before gradually moving across, leaving the now famous Memorial Garden to be excavated last.
“We simply don’t know what is beneath the surface of the site as a whole,” Dr McCullagh said. “Because we don’t know what is there, there is a very complex response required. We don’t want to track heavy machinery over areas where we don’t know what lies underneath.”
Any remains discovered during the excavation will be taken to a temporary secure facility in Headford before being moved to the excavation’s laboratory and investigation facility when it is ready for use in early 2026.
The ODAIT will continue to provide updates to the community through media briefings monthly from August.
