So... if I'm an atheist, and I "hold sacred" the superiority of reason and scientific evidence, does a comment to the effect that, say, evolution or the big bang is ignorant heathen nonsense, which an atheist finds grossly abusive and insulting - and is outraged by - qualify as blasphemy? Or do atheists not get equal protection under the law in Ireland?

I don't believe name-calling legally qualifies as a hate crime.  So I could call YOU a  fag all I wanted but you couldn't go to the police and claim it was an assault.

That said, I wonder if this law was prompted by fear of Islamic protests and riots?

Works all ways AHOLES.  If you can be accused of a 'hate crime' for calling someone a 'fag', then why not this?