Atheist Ireland

Atheist Ireland

12 March 2015

New Catholic Church schools guidelines fail to protect rights of atheist and secular families

The Catholic Bishops Schools Partnership today released a document titled ‘Catholic Primary Schools in a Changing Ireland – Sharing good Practice on Inclusion of All Pupils’. Bishops website report RTE news report These proposals claim to be inclusive, but they are only inclusive of families...

19 February 2015

This photo of Atheist Ireland meeting the Taoiseach is significant for who it does not include

This is part of the Atheist Ireland delegation that met the Taoiseach and Minister for Education last week, in the first formal meeting between an Irish Prime Minister and an atheist advocacy group in the history of the State. The photograph is significant for who...

12 February 2015

Atheist Ireland meets with CFI Canada to announce charter of International Coalition Against Blasphemy Laws

John Hamill from Atheist Ireland met yesterday in Toronto with Eric Adriaans from Centre For Inquiry Canada, to announce the charter of the new International Coalition Against Blasphemy Laws, and to discuss how both groups will work together as co-founders and partners in the campaign...

11 February 2015

Atheist Ireland begins ongoing dialogue with Government at historic first meeting with Taoiseach

Atheist Ireland had a breakthrough dialogue yesterday with Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Minister for Education Jan O’Sullivan, at the first ever formal meeting between an Irish Prime Minister and an atheist advocacy group in the history of the State. We were represented by chairperson Michael...

11 February 2015

Atheist Ireland gives Taoiseach open letter on blasphemy law signed by Richard Dawkins and others

At our meeting with Taoiseach Enda Kenny yesterday, Atheist Ireland gave him an open letter about the Irish blasphemy law signed by more than forty Irish and international scientists, philosophers, writers, comedians, politicians and activists. The Guardian has published the open letter. Here is the...

8 February 2015

First ever meeting of Taoiseach with atheist advocacy group this Tuesday

At 6.30 pm this Tuesday Atheist Ireland will have the first ever meeting of the Taoiseach with atheist advocacy group and the Minister for Education, as part of the dialogue process between Government and religious and nonreligious philosophical bodies. This will be the first time...

6 February 2015

Atheist Ireland meets Department of Justice about blasphemy law

Atheist Ireland met yesterday with officials from the Department of Justice to discuss the Irish blasphemy law. Our delegation included Chairperson Michael Nugent, Human Rights Officer Jane Donnelly, blasphemy campaign coordinator John Hamill, and independent blasphemy expert Professor David Nash of Oxford Brookes University. Following...

30 January 2015

Atheist Ireland helps to found new international campaign to end blasphemy laws

After considerable work behind the scenes in recent weeks, a new International Coalition Against Blasphemy Laws is launched today. Our website is at http://end-blasphemy-laws.org. It includes the most comprehensive available country data and profiles adapted from the most recent IHEU Freedom of Thought Report. You...

23 January 2015

Are “Catholic first” Admission Policies unconstitutional? Equality Authority report endorses Atheist Ireland arguments

Atheist Ireland’s ongoing campaign to ensure that publicly funded schools do not discriminate on religious grounds is picking up pace, with our arguments effectively endorsed by both the Equality Authority and the Irish Human Rights Commission, the two bodies that have recently merged to form...

9 January 2015

Michael Nugent discusses Charlie Hebdo cartoons and Irish blasphemy law on BBC and Today FM

Michael Nugent discussed the Charlie Hebdo cartoons and Irish blasphemy law yesterday on BBC Radio Ulster’s Talkback with William Crawley, and on Today FM’s The Last Word with Matt Cooper and David Quinn. BBC Radio Ulster with William Crawley Today FM with Matt Cooper and...