Description: In Tuam, County Galway, from 1925 to 1961 the Bon Secours nuns ran a home for unmarried mothers. Local historian Catherine Corless discovered that 796 babies and children born there died of illness and malnutrition—and astonishingly, none had formal burial records. Instead, they were interred in an underground structure—likely a disused sewage tank—hidden beneath the home’s grounds. In 1975, children digging nearby spotted human remains under a concrete slab, but it wasn’t until Corless began systematic research in 2012 that the truth emerged: death certificates lacking burial data, geophysical surveys confirming vaults, and official acknowledgment of covert burials. In March 2017, test digs by an expert team confirmed charred and fetal-aged remains in chambered structures dating to the home’s active years. The reporting laid bare a chilling chapter of institutional neglect, prompting national outrage and commitment to forensic excavation and accountability.
Genre: Feature Film
Date Created: Mid-September 2025
The Lost Children Of Tuam: Uncovering a Haunting Chapter of History
In the feature film “The Lost Children Of Tuam,” produced by ELEMENT PICTURES, the audience is taken on a poignant journey to Tuam, County Galway. From 1925 to 1961, the Bon Secours nuns operated a home for unmarried mothers where a heartbreaking revelation unfolds. Local historian Catherine Corless’s discovery of 796 infants’ unmarked graves sheds light on a harrowing truth of institutional neglect and covert burials. The film delves into the dark past of the home and the community’s quest for justice and accountability.
This powerful narrative, written by Rebecca Lenkiewicz and brought to life under the direction of renowned producers Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, and Liam Neeson, is a stark reminder of the horrors hidden beneath the facade of societal norms. With a compelling story fueled by Fiona Weir’s exceptional casting choices, “The Lost Children Of Tuam” is a cinematic masterpiece that challenges viewers to confront uncomfortable truths and seek redemption in the face of tragedy.
