THE excavation of a site in Co Galway where it is suspected that hundreds of babies are buried is set to begin in the latter stages of 2019.

It comes after significant quantities of human remains were discovered in 2016 at the site of a former mother-and-baby home in Tuam.

In October, the Irish government approved the forensic excavation of the site.

The Tuam mother-and-baby home operated from 1925 to 1961 and was run by the Bon Secours Sisters.

Official records show 798 infants and children died at the home and it is believed many were buried there.

Irish premier Leo Varadkar said he does not believe an excavation of this size has been done before in Ireland but emphasised it is the “right thing to do”.