Trinity College Dublin to return human remains to Inishbofin 

Trinity College is to return human remains to the island of Inishbofin, from where they were taken without the community’s consent more than a century ago. 

The decision was approved today by the Board of the University following a period of research, analysis and public consultation about the future of the remains overseen by the Trinity Legacies Review Working Group.

Further engagement will now take place with the Inishbofin community to identify the appropriate way of returning the remains.

Trinity Provost Dr Linda Doyle said: “I am sorry for the upset that was caused by our retaining of these remains and I thank the Inishbofin community for their advocacy and engagement with us on this issue.

“We will now work with the community to ensure that the remains are returned in a respectful manner and in accordance with the community’s wishes.

“I want to thank everyone who engaged with the process that we have put in place to address  issues of this nature.

“I am glad that we have made an evidence-based decision and that our process allowed all points of view to be heard.”

The Senior Dean and Chair of Trinity Legacies Review Working Group Prof. Eoin O’Sullivan said: “The evidence-based process Trinity has engaged in has, we believe, proved its worth.

“The Trinity Legacies Review Working Group will continue to engage with Trinity’s legacy issues on a case-by-case basis.”