Paper dolls tribute to babies at city vigil

A total of 796 paper dolls were put in place around the playground in Eyre Square at the vigil on Wednesday evening when about 200 people came together to remember those who lost their lives at the St Mary’s mother and baby home in Tuam.

After reports that the children had been buried in an unmarked grave circulated around the globe over the past two weeks, local activists said it was important to pay tribute to them in Co Galway.

The silent vigil which took place at Eyre Square coincided with a Justice for the Tuam Babies march in Dublin which also commemorated those who died at similar institutions all across the State.

Each doll was numbered as a tribute to all of the ‘home babies’ who were buried in the mass grave at an institution which was run by the Bon Secours order from 1925 until 1961.

Letters were read out from Tuam woman Catherine Corless, whose research unearthed the mass grave, and survivor John Rodgers. A minute’s silence was followed by a poem and a couple of songs.

One of the organisers, Rachel Donnelly, said that not all of the children of Ireland were being cherished equally today, highlighting discrimination against Travellers and the 2,000 youngsters in direct provision.

Ms Donnelly said it was “past time” the Church and State were separated in the provision of education in Ireland.

“We are very pleased with the turn-out,” she said afterwards. “I think it sends a strong signal that the people of Galway and Ireland are adamant that reparations be paid to the victims.”

For more on this story see the Galway City Tribune.