Tuam Mother And Baby Home
The Tuam Mother and Baby Home was a facility in County Galway, Ireland, that operated from 1925 to 1961. It was one of several institutions in Ireland run by religious orders, primarily the Bon Secours Sisters, to house unmarried pregnant women and their children. The home became infamous for its harsh conditions and the tragic treatment of its residents, particularly the high mortality rates among infants and children.
Historical Context and Discovery
The home gained international attention in 2014 when historian Catherine Corless uncovered evidence of a mass grave on the site. Her research revealed that 796 children who died at the home were buried in unmarked graves, many in a septic tank. This discovery sparked widespread outrage and led to calls for a full investigation into the treatment of women and children in Ireland’s mother and baby homes.
Impact and Legacy
The revelations about the Tuam Mother and Baby Home prompted the Irish government to establish a Commission of Investigation in 2015. The commission’s findings, published in 2021, highlighted systemic abuse, neglect, and high infant mortality rates across similar institutions in Ireland. The Tuam case has become a symbol of Ireland’s troubled history with institutional care and the mistreatment of vulnerable women and children.