Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home

The Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home, also known as St Mary's, or just The Home, operated in Tuam, County Galway, Ireland, from 1925 to 1961 as a Catholic-run institution for unmarried mothers and their children, on behalf of Galway County Council. Run by the Bon Secours Sisters, the home became the focus of national scandal after historian Catherine Corless uncovered that 796 infants and children had died there, many buried in an unmarked mass grave within a former septic tank. Investigations revealed high infant mortality, allegations of illegal adoptions, and systemic neglect. A 2017 excavation confirmed the presence of juvenile remains, prompting a state apology and legislation for full exhumation. Preparatory forensic work began in 2023, and full excavation commenced in July 2025 to recover, identify, and rebury the remains with dignity in a dedicated memorial garden at the Tuam site.

The revelations surrounding the Tuam home sparked widespread public outrage, international media coverage, and renewed scrutiny of Ireland’s history of institutional abuse. Survivors, advocacy groups, and political figures called for accountability and transparency, leading to state investigations, formal apologies, and reforms aimed at addressing past injustices within religious-run facilities.

History

Between 1925 and 1961 in Tuam, a town in County Galway, the Bon Secours Sisters ran a facility known locally as ‘The Home’, officially St Mary’s Mother and Baby Home, on behalf of Galway County Council. It was an institution where thousands of unmarried pregnant women gave birth. The building had previously served as a workhouse and later as a military barracks.