L- R Killian O’Dea Sheehan, Jonathan Markham(both Presicison Utility Mapping), Deputy Martin Browne TD, Michael O’Donovan, Theresa Collins(both We are Still Here Group) Cathaoirleach Tipperary County Council Cllr Ger Darcy, Cllr Michael Smith and Ger Darcy Tipperary County Council Executive
Following recent confirmation that the Department of Children will fund scans on grounds at Sean Ross Abbey in Roscrea, the We Are Still Here Sean Ross Abbey Group Ireland met on-site with representatives of Tipperary County Council and the firm who will be carrying out the scans, Precision Utility Mapping.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss further the need for the scans, and to hear from the firm tasked with the scanning process on the work involved.
Angel’s Plot in Sean Ross Abbey, Roscrea
An area of woodland adjacent to the Angle’s Plot was viewed to prepare for potential scanning in the coming weeks – overgrowth and mature pine trees on the site may be removed in advance of the scanning to optimise it’s efficiency.
“According to the Commission of Investigation, into Mother and Baby Homes the total number of infant deaths having occurred at Sean Ross Abbey amounted to 1078.
Gravestone for Michael Hess, also buried in the cemetery at St Cronan’s church(in ruins) on the Sean Ross Abbey property – his story was dramatised in the 2013 Oscar nominated film Philomena
However, it is not feasible to conclude that all burials occurred in the relatively confined space of the Angels’ Plot” according to the We Are Still Here Group.
The group says funding, thought to be €18,000, was approved following extensive representations from Deputy Martin Browne to Minister Roderic O’Gorman, and the crucial support from Tipperary County Council. Cathaoirleach Cllr Ger Darcy, Cllr Michael Smith and Ger Walshe Senior Executive Officer at Corporate Services attended the site visit.
“These works will consist of non-invasive ground scans that will be carried out by Precision Utility Mapping. The process is a sensitive one given that “its sole purpose is to recognise the children whose burial, in many cases, remain unresolved” according to Mike O’Donovan who worked at the Mother and Baby Home in Sean Ross as a young man in the late 1980s.
It is hoped that works will be able to commence within the weeks or months to come and will conclude this year. The owner of the lands Mr Tony Donlan is supportive of the group’s work. Mr Donlan purchased the entire Sean Ross Abbey property with the exception of the Angels Plot and the Nuns Cemetery which remain in the ownership of the religious order.
The We Are Still Here Group say an event planned for September at the former Mother and Baby Home is postponed until 2024 to enable completion of the scanning works and other works on the wider property by the new owner.
Sean Ross Abbey Mother and Baby Home closed in 1970. Up to 1,090 children are believed to have died at Sean Ross Abbey, which was run by the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary from 1931 to 1969. Their causes of death include heart failure, influenza, marasmus, sun stroke and choking on porridge.
