The exhumation of up to 796 children’s remains at the former Tuam Mother and Baby Home will commence in next spring – with preliminary works on the site set to begin within weeks.

Director of Authorised Intervention at Tuam, Daniel Mac Sweeney, told the Connacht Tribune this week that that ground samples alongside topographic and other forms of surveys would be getting underway “in the next few weeks”.

“And, all going to plan, the full excavation will begin in spring of next year,” he said.

The recovery of the remains alone could take two years due to the complexity of the site and underground septic tanks.

Local historian, Catherine Corless, whose research revealed the appalling conditions in which these children were buried, estimated that 796 children died at the home, which was owned by Galway County Council and operated, between 1925 and 1961, by the Catholic Religious Order, Bons Secours.

Mr Mac Sweeney, who was appointed to oversee the excavation process in May of last year, said a staff of 15 was focused on delivering for the survivors of the home and the families of those buried in Tuam.

“From the very start, I have tried to put families, survivors and advocacy groups at the centre of this process. Every step has been explained to them and we have been getting feedback on what’s planned.

“There has been a lot of interaction with Tuam area county councillors, as their representatives . . . now, as we start moving towards starting the excavation, we are going to be interacting with the people living adjacent,” he said.

The preliminary works will take an estimated eight weeks to conclude – the second step in a five-stage process.

Caption: Director of Authorised Intervention at Tuam, Daniel Mac Sweeney.

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