A new art exhibition titled Blasphemous opened (appropriately) on Good Friday in the Irish Museum of Contemporary Art (IMOCA) in Lad Lane, off Baggott Street, Dublin 2. It’s the second art exhibition to highlight and challenge the new Irish blasphemy law, which became active on 1st January 2010.

Since then, the Irish Justice Minister has responded to the campaign against the law by saying that he will propose a referendum, later this year, to remove the reference to blasphemy from the Irish Constitution, thus enabling the blasphemy law to be repealed.

This makes the new exhibition in IMOCA not just a challenge to the blasphemy law, but also a celebration of artistic freedom, and freedom of expression generally. The exhibition runs until 25 April and is open from 12 noon to 5 pm every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, or by appointment through contacting IMOCA.

A blasphemy art exhibition in Dublin during February is a direct response to the new Irish blasphemy law. It’s a fascinating show, and well worth a visit.

It is on in the Oonagh Young Gallery in James Joyce Street (formerly Corporation Street) off Talbot Street until Saturday 27 February, and is open from 12 to 6pm every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

This Wednesday at 7pm there is a special screening of Rocky Road to Dublin and The Making of Rocky Road to Dublin, which should be watched by anyone interested in secularism and censorship in Ireland.

Introduction and opening speech by Senator Ivana Bacik

Second half of opening speech by Senator Ivana Bacik

Messages of support from Richard Dawkins, Father Ted writers and EHF

Michael Nugent, Atheist Ireland, and Larry Maher, Midwest Humanists

Blasphemy is a Victimless Crime from Limerick Blogger on Vimeo.

Lothar Luken, Cork poet and member of Humanist Association of Ireland

Introduction by Michael Nugent, writer and chair of Atheist Ireland
(10 mins: introducing the blasphemy law and the Church of Dermotology)

Robbie Bonham, comedian and cartoonist, on artistic expression
(10 mins: includes end of Michael Nugent speech; Robbie Bonham introduced at 0:55)

Dick Spicer, Humanist Association of Ireland, on campaigning
(10 mins: includes intro by Michael Nugent; Dick Spicer introduced at 0:55 secs)

Ian O’Doherty, newspaper columnist, on freedom of expression
(10 mins: includes end of Dick Spicer speech; Ian O’Doherty introduced at 2:10)

Ian O’Doherty and Audience Discussion Part 1
(10 mins: includes end of Ian O’Doherty speech; Audience discussion begins at 2:40)

Audience Discussion Part 2
(5 mins: continuation of discussion from audience)

More details of the law and comments from panel
(10 mins: Starts with Michael Nugent; Dick Spicer begins at 6:20)

More comments from panel in response to discussion
(10 mins: Robbie Bonham at 0:45; Ian O’Doherty at 3:51; Michael Nugent at 6:33)

More comments from panel in response to discussion
(5 mins: Michael Nugent on atheism, secularism, morality and the blasphemy law)

Michael Nugent outlines the context of the proposed law

Barry Grant analyses the detail of the proposed law