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Largest Astronomical conference ever held in Ireland gets underway
Astronomers from across Europe descended on Cork today for the largest astronomical conference ever held in Ireland.
Over 1,500 scientists from over 60 countries have convened in University College Cork (UCC) for the 2025 annual meeting of the European Astronomical Society (EAS). The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, formally opened the week-long conference. The ‘festival of astronomy’ is expected to inject almost €3 million euro into the local economy.
The beginning of the EAS conference in UCC coincides with the eagerly anticipated release of the first images of the universe from the largest digital camera ever built. Ultra-high-definition images and videos, will be revealed by the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile on Monday afternoon Irish time, where its huge camera will repeatedly sweep the sky in a 10-year survey to provide one of the most expansive views of our cosmos ever.
Major scientific challenges facing European astronomers
At the EAS conference in UCC, astronomers will present their latest discoveries and research, from exoplanets to the distant universe. An important focus of the conference will be the discussion of the major scientific challenges likely to face European astronomers in the future, and the new telescopes and facilities - the next “big thing” - that will be needed for the astronomical discoveries of the 2040s and beyond.
"Astronomy is a powerful engine for talent development, industry innovation, and international partnership. It inspires curiosity, supports high-demand skills in data analytics, space science, and artificial intelligence, and builds the research ecosystem we need for future technologies. I am committed to deepening that ecosystem so Irish students, researchers, and enterprises can thrive on the global stage,” stated the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science , James Lawless TD.
Professor Paul Callanan, Head, School of Physics, UCC said: “The EAS is Europe’s leading astronomical meeting which places Ireland very much at the heart of European astronomy on what will be a very exciting time for astronomers across Europe.”
The EAS promotes and advances the science of astronomy in Europe. EAS President Sara Lucatello stated: “We are thrilled to bring the EAS Annual Meeting to Ireland for the first time. Scientists from over 60 countries will be in attendance, for what will certainly be a festival of astronomy. We are grateful to our hosts in Cork, and we look forward to a vibrant and productive week of scientific exchange.”
To celebrate the EAS conference, a public lecture by Prof. Robert J. Nemiroff on NASA’s well-known Astronomy Picture of the Day will be presented in UCC at June 24th, starting at 7pm (in Boole 4, UCC).
While at UCC, the Minister for Higher Education was also interviewed by UCC students, and toured the world leading laboratory led by Professor Seamus Davis that is pioneering insights into Quantum Physics.
The Minister also visited the Tyndall National Institute which represents an important partnership between UCC and Government, delivering excellence in research and industry engagement and providing a national focal point for excellence in deep-tech research, development, postgraduate and specialised training.