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[Photo above: Forensic excavation underway inside Tent 2, Tuam Mother and Baby Institution. Credit Office of the Director of Authorized Intervention at Tuam (ODAIT).]
The remains of 22 more babies were recovered from the site of a former institution for unmarried mothers and their children in Ireland, bringing the total number of bodies found during an ongoing excavation to 99, authorities announced.
The Office of the Director of Authorized Intervention at Tuam (ODAIT) on Wednesday said the discoveries were made at the site known as the former Mother and Baby Institution, which was operated by the Bon Secours Sisters, an order of Catholic nuns, from 1925 to 1961.
The remains were found in coffins in an area identified in historical records as a burial ground, but later covered with asphalt and gravel and used as a driveway.
“As detailed in previous updates, the evidence ODAIT has recovered is consistent with this area being part of a burial ground from the time of the operation of the Mother and Baby Institution and it falls within an area identified in historical documents as a ‘burial ground,'” ODAIT noted in a news release.
“This location was previously covered with bitumen and gravel and used for vehicular access, according to ODAIT. There were no surface markers to indicate the presence of burials.”
ODAIT said the remains of 77 babies were previous recovered from the area “and earlier historic burials were identified beneath these.”
Overview of Tuam site, photo taken 13 July 2026 (white arrow shows North). Credit Office of the Director of Authorized Intervention at Tuam (ODAIT).
The recovery effort began in 2025 after years of investigations into the institution. People reported that historian Catherine Corless uncovered records showing 796 infants and young children died while the home was in operation, with many of the children having no recorded burial sites.
A previous excavation confirmed human remains beneath the property, prompting the Irish government to authorize a full forensic excavation.
ODAIT said the newly recovered remains will undergo forensic examination in an effort to determine the children’s ages, gender, and possible identities. So far, 62 people have submitted DNA samples in hopes of identifying relatives buried at the site, according to ODAIT.
“ODAIT would encourage anyone who believes they may have a family member buried at the site of the former Tuam Mother and Baby Institution to contact our office,” ODAIT noted. “Our team can answer any questions and help guide you through the process.”
A forensic excavation team member working inside the subterranean vaulted structure. Credit Office of the Director of Authorized Intervention at Tuam (ODAIT).
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