Degree honour for Tuam babies historian

HISTORIAN Catherine Corless is to be awarded an honorary degree by NUI Galway for uncovering the names of the 796 children who died at the Tuam home.

The president of the college announced yesterday that Mrs Corless, along with three other recipients, will receive the prestigious award for their outstanding work in human rights.

Singer Sharon Shannon, Helen Rochford Brennan, who is an activist for people with dementia, and biodiversity campaigner Brendan Dunford will also receive the award. In 2014, research carried out by Ms Corless revealed that almost 800 children died in the north Co. Galway mother and baby home between 1925 and 1961.

Speaking to the Irish Daily Mail last night, Ms Corless said: ‘I am very grateful. It means a lot to people to keep the awareness of the Tuam babies out there.

‘I’ve gotten so much feedback and it has helped open doors and give courage to people. At the end, that’s what it’s all about.’

The future of the burial site remains undecided and there are five options, including a memorial or a full excavation.

Ms Corless, herself a native of Tuam, Co. Galway, said: ‘I am still hoping that the grave will be opened.’

She added: ‘I didn’t like how Leo Varadkar went to visit the grave in private. He should have met with the survivors. They would have gone to meet him.

‘At the end of the day, there is just no telling what way it is going to go but we will just have to wait and see.’