Further 22 sets of infant remains recovered from Tuam Mother and Baby Home
A further 22 sets of infant remains have been recovered from the site of the former Mother and Baby Institution in Tuam as excavation work continues.In its latest technical update on Friday, the Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention, Tuam (ODAIT) confirmed that the 22 sets of remains were recovered from November 29, 2025 to January 28, 2026, with forensic analysis now underway.Excavations during this period focused on two locations, shown below, machine excavation in the site of the former workhouse yard (the blue outlined area) and hand excavation continued under a temporary tent (the red outlined area).22 sets of human remains were recovered from under the white tent during this period, bringing the total number from within the red outline to 33. To date, all remains recovered from this area are of infants that were buried in coffins.Radiocarbon dating tests have confirmed that the human remains submitted for testing to date are from the premodern era (before 1955), meaning the 33 sets of infant human remains recovered to date from the red outline area were buried during the period of operation of the Mother and Baby Institution Tuam (1925-61).In the former yard area, the entire area is now forensically resolved apart from the well shaft and connected drains, where work continues.The ODAIT said the area under the white tent was identified in historical documents as a “burial ground”, and that the recovered evidence from this area is consistent with it being a burial ground from the time of the operation of the Mother and Baby Institution.Within this area, ODAIT also uncovered a pit over three metres in width which disturbed the “burial ground” containing modern building debris consistent with the post-institutional era.Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
