Five skeletons found at site of former mother and baby home in Tuam

Ottoline Spearman

Five sets of human skeletal remains have been found during the excavation at the former mother and baby home in Tuam, Galway.

The works began 10 weeks ago, after historian Catherine Corless revealed the death of nearly 800 children at the home between 1925 and 1961.

Only two of these have recorded burials at local sites, suggesting that many of the children may be buried on the site.

The remains discovered on Friday are consistent with the Workhouse era of 1841 to 1918, which is before the site housed the mother and baby institution.

The remains are currently being analysed.

There was the discovery of a human tooth and some personal belongings at the end of August, including glass baby bottle feeders, spectacles, and a chamber pot.

But this is the first discovery of human remains at the site.

The works are expected to last two years, with the site closed off to the public for the duration of the excavation.