The “We Are Still Here Sean Ross Abbey Group Ireland,” a Tipperary-based campaign group that has long advocated for ground scans to be conducted at Roscrea’s Sean Ross Abbey in search of human remains, celebrated the commencement of this vital work on Monday.
This historic location, Sean Ross Abbey, famously served as the inspiration for the Academy Award-nominated 2013 drama film “Philomena,” starring the acclaimed actors Judi Dench and Steve Coogan.
The ground scans officially commenced on Monday, October 9, marking a significant milestone in the pursuit of answers surrounding the undocumented burials that took place at the former Mother and Baby Home.
Teresa Collins, a spokesperson for the campaign group, addressed those present at the commencement of the scans, stating, “Today is a day that those seeking answers to decade-long questions have been waiting for.”
She went on to explain that, according to the Commission of Investigation, there were a total of 1,078 infant deaths recorded at Sean Ross Abbey. However, it is important to note that it may not be feasible to conclude that all burials occurred within the relatively confined space of the Angels’ Plot.
Collins continued, “Furthermore, there is a wealth of local knowledge suggesting that given the relatively small area within the Angels’ Plot did not serve the burial needs over the decades, the land adjacent to the plot was used to facilitate further burials and could be considered as a natural extension to the original plot known as the Angels’ Plot.”
She pointed out that initially, this area was considered for investigation by the Commission of Investigation, but it was excluded from their scope due to separate ownership at the time.
However, thanks to the approval and support of the landowner, Tony Donlan, this hurdle has now been overcome. Teresa Collins expressed gratitude to Mr. Donlan for accommodating their efforts throughout this process.
Collins also acknowledged the efforts of Deputy Martin Browne, who continuously approached Minister for Children, Disability, Integration, and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, to advocate for further ground scans. She highlighted the role played by the Department’s Memorialisation and Historic Burials Unit, as well as Tipperary County Council, in securing funding for the project.
Precision Utility Mapping was selected to carry out the ground scans, and Collins commended their attentiveness to the project’s needs and their sensitive approach to the task at hand.
While the results of the scans remain uncertain, Collins emphasized their significance, stating, “It is important that we make this effort to shed more light on the history of Sean Ross Abbey Mother and Baby Home, for all those who went through it or were affected in any way by the practices that went on there.”
The group hopes to receive the results of the scans in the coming weeks and plans to carefully consider them before engaging with Minister O’Gorman’s office on the way forward.
