In mediaeval times, Irish monks were the leading experts in Europe in Computistics, a mixture of science, mathematics, and religion, where the three disciplines were not antagonistic, but complementary.
The history of this Irish intellectual achievement will be discussed and examined at the Galway Computus Conference 2012 which takes place in the Moore Institute of NUI Galway tomorrow, Saturday, and Sunday.
The multi-discipline approach of the Irish monks was the result of a need to be able to calculate the correct date for Easter for that and subsequent years, which was not as simple a matter as it may appear.
In the centuries following the collapse of the Roman Empire, persistent problems and challenges arose owing to the use of both lunar and solar calendars. However, drawing on astronomy, maths, and science, the Irish developed a method of calculation that proved the most accurate and which won acclaim across Europe.
The conference is being organised by Prof Dáibhí Ó Cróinín, of NUIG’s history department and will see a range of speakers discuss issues and controversies relating to all aspects of computistics, relevant mediaeval manuscripts, the Synod of Whitby, and the Latin language.
Among the speakers will be Leofranc Holford-Strevens, author of The History of Time - a very short introduction, who said: “Since the 7th century the leading experts on the Computus were the Irish.”
The lectures take place from 5pm to 7.30pm tomorrow; 9.30a, to 7pm on Saturday; and 9.30am to 3pm on Sunday and are open to the public. All are welcome.
For more information contact see www.nuigalway.ie/history/computusconference html
