“Part of the Bandon Churches Series... By the assistance of the Burgesses and Gentlemen of the Corporation and obedient to his Graces Orders, I do send you the names of several popish priests of the adjoining parishes - but observe to you that within the limits of this Barony, no priest or papist was ever since the late King James Reigne, suffered to reside within the tow. The inhabitants are all Protestants and by our Corporation Laws no others are to live among us.” Provost of Bandon, Ralph Clear in a letter to Earl of Cork, 6 March 1743.
With the relaxation of the Penal laws towards the end of the 18th century and first half of the 19th century, combined with the growing confidence in the church members especially the merchant classes, a new phase of Catholic church building began throughout the Country. These churches were built in two distinct plans; a rectangular shape known as a ‘Barn Church’ like Shanagarry and a ‘T-Shaped’ type, like The Church of Immaculate Conception and St. For over two hundred years from its foundation, no Catholic was permitted to live or worship within the town walls of Bandon. However in 1861, on the walls perimeter of this impressively located church was was consecrated.
The steps leading from Market Street were built in 1883 -4m and three houses were removed to make way for the entrance.
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“ By the assistance of the Burgesses and Gentlemen of the Corporation and obedient to his Graces Orders, I do send you the names of several popish priests of the adjoining parishes - but observe to you that within the limits of this Barony, no priest or papist was ever since the late King James Reigne, suffered to reside within the tow. The inhabitants are all Protestants and by our Corporation Laws no others are to live among us.” Provost of Bandon, Ralph Clear in a letter to Earl of Cork, 6 March 1743