Friday, 10th April 2026
Technical Update from the forensic excavation at the site of the former Mother and Baby Institution in Tuam, Co. Galway
Reporting period: 29th January to 31st March 2026
Forensic excavation of the site of the former Mother and Baby Institution in Tuam continues. In the photo below, all areas that have been excavated are outlined in colour and all areas that are considered resolved are hatched. In this reporting period, excavation has focused on two locations outlined in the photo below:
Red outline (part under white tent): Hand excavation continued under a temporary tent.
Blue outline: Machine excavation continued in the site of the former workhouse yard.
Blue outline
The blue outline of the former yard is now resolved as previously stated, with the exception of the subsurface well. The well shaft has been excavated to a depth of four metres with further work required as the base of the structure has not yet been reached. The excavation of this structure is on hold for health and safety reasons until more of the surrounding area is resolved.
Red outline
Hand or manual excavation continued under the cover of the tented enclosure (see photo above). As outlined in the previous Technical Update, this area was identified in historical documents as a “burial ground” and there are no surface markers that indicated the presence of burials at this location. The evidence that ODAIT has recovered from this area during the forensic excavation is consistent with the location being a burial ground from the time of the operation of the Mother and Baby Institution.
Human remains
Manual excavation continues under the cover of the tented enclosure in the red outline.
An additional 36 infant remains have been recovered since the last technical update. This brings the total number of infant remains recovered from this location to date to 69.
Results of excavation indicate that these infants were buried in coffins which have since decayed. The evidence indicates that the majority of coffins were single shouldered with mounts and had been painted white. In a small number of instances, two or three individuals were buried in the same coffin.
As previously reported, within this area a large feature or area, of over 3 metres in width has been identified. Evidence indicates that some burials were disturbed in the creation of this feature through the use of a mechanical digger. Tool marks on the sides and base of this feature provide evidence consistent with the use of a mechanical excavator fitted with a toothed bucket. This feature was then backfilled with sand, gravel and building debris. An examination of available aerial photography indicates that this disturbance took place sometime after 1977, however, further excavation will assist in establishing a more accurate timeframe for this event.
Artefacts
Artefacts from various historic periods continue to be recovered. Items of note include a post-medieval cast copper-alloy keyhole escutcheon. The keyhole is flanked by symmetrical foliate openwork; a winged cherub is located above the keyhole, and a waterbird is underneath.
Identification Programme
The identification programme continues as ODAIT engages with people who have come forward to enquire about providing a DNA sample. A public information campaign will launch in the coming months. During this reporting period five more family DNA samples have been taken and delivered to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI), bringing the total to 33 samples. The team will be taking more samples over the coming weeks in Ireland, the UK and the US.
We 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. Our team can answer any questions and help guide you through the process. You can call +353 (0)1 539 1777, email info@dait.ie or visit our website www.odait.ie for more information.
Forensic Facility and Mortuary
ODAIT is nearing completion of its forensic facility and mortuary in Tuam. This facility will provide the necessary space for large scale analysis and storage of human remains, evidence and artefacts and will assist ODAIT to continue respecting international standards and best practice.
Currently ODAIT is availing of a temporary space which has allowed work to progress. Further information will follow in the coming weeks.
About the Excavation
Excavation at the site of the former Tuam Mother and Baby Institution is being conducted by the Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention, Tuam under the Institutional Burials Act 2022.
In its day-to-day work, the ODAIT Forensic Excavation Team on site is led by the site co-ordinator. The team includes forensic archaeologists, osteoarchaeologists and forensic anthropologists, as well as a forensic evidence manager and a forensic photographer. Additional specialists will join the team in the coming weeks, increasing its size. They are supported by a main contractor who has supplied a team of construction professionals including skilled machine operators.
Forensic excavation commenced on 14th July 2025. This report covers weeks 29 to 37 of the forensic excavation works on site, covering progress up until close of business (COB) on 31st March 2026.
ODAIT will provide updates first to families and survivors and to the media and wider public on a bi-monthly basis.
The next technical update will issue in early June 2026.
