USSHER'S DATES

Sir, Your contributor Frank McNally (October 22nd), in taking James Ussher's date for creation at face value, is mistaken in the day, the month and the year. Although Pope Gregory's reforms of omitting 10 days and changing the leap year rules were adopted by Roman Catholic countries in 1582, the Julian Calendar remained in use in Britain and Ireland until 1752.

Ussher's Julian date of October 23rd therefore corresponds to the autumnal equinox. Moreover, since there is no Year Zero in the BC/AD convention, 4004 BC corresponds to 4003 AD, the 6000th anniversary of which will occur in 1997. If there is anyone around to notice, the autumnal equinox in 1997 will occur on September 22nd at 2356 UT/GMT.

Yours etc..

Kilternan,

Co Dublin.