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The life and legacy of Vicky Phelan celebrated at poignant event

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The life and legacy of the late Vicky Phelan was celebrated in poignant style in Tralee at the weekend as local cancer support charity, Recovery Haven Kerry, hosted the Kerry stage of the nationwide Vicky Phelan Campaign and Portrait Tour.

The Tralee-based charity joined forces with portrait owner David Brennan and friends and family of the late cervical cancer campaigner for the two-day awareness raising initiative, which was kindly hosted by MTU Kerry and supported by Tralee Chamber Alliance.

The Sólás Centre at MTU’s North Campus was the location for the weekend’s activities, which began on Friday night with an emotional, but hugely inspirational unveiling of the portrait by owner and lifelong friend of Vicky, David Brennan.

In front of an audience of over 100 invited guests, including some of Vicky’s friends and parents John and Gaby, David gave an empowering insight into every aspect of the stunning portrait, beautifully detailing the symbolism of each section.

Another of Vicky’s friends, John Wall, was also there to speak about who he called ‘Vicky the person’ and, like David, offered a wonderful insight into exactly the kind of woman Vicky Phelan was, away from her media persona.

Deirdre Walsh of Radio Kerry was also on hand to moderate a fascinating panel discussion with prominent cancer awareness advocates, including 221+ campaigners Lyn Fenton and Caoimhe O’Neill Forde, as well as inspiring 18-year-old Roísín Ní Chadhla – BT Young Scientist and Student Public Health Researcher.

Recovery Haven Kerry Chairperson Tim McSwiney and Dr Brendan O’Donnell, MTU Registrar, both spoke eloquently on behalf of their organisations, in welcoming the tour to Kerry.

As part of the weekend’s programme, the stunning portrait was also on public display at the Sólás Centre on Saturday morning, where, once again, David Brennan, explained its origins and meaning behind it. The previous night’s speakers and Vicky’s parents were once again present for Saturday morning’s event, which was attended by over 60 people.

“Given the nature of our work in supporting those with cancer and their families, we are honoured to have been part of this special and very moving event which celebrates the legacy of a remarkable woman and continues her work of raising awareness and the importance of self-advocacy,” said Recovery Haven Kerry manager, Gemma Fort.

“We are extremely grateful for the co-operation of MTU Kerry, particularly the Department of Nursing and Healthcare Studies under the leadership of Dr Gerardina Harnett, and the support of Tralee Chamber Alliance and many other local businesspeople and community groups.”

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Fassbender ready for second Le Mans appearance

Local Hollywood A-lister Michael Fassbender is in the final preparation stages for his second appearance at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. The iconic endurance race is celebrating its […]

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Local Hollywood A-lister Michael Fassbender is in the final preparation stages for his second appearance at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The iconic endurance race is celebrating its 100th edition next weekend.

The Fossa star has already arrived in the famous French twon where he is involved in a week-long series of engagements including drivers’ parades, autograph sessions and more serious appointments like car safety checks, practice and qualifying.

Like last year, when he finished 16th in the LMGTE Am class, Fassbender has been entered in to the event by the German Proton Competition team with Estonian Martin Rump and the Austrian Richard Lietz.

Fassbender dreams of following the trajectory of fellow Hollywood actors Patrick Dempsey who was second in LMGTE Am class in 2016 and Paul Newman who finished second overall in 1979.

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Ireland’s oldest citizen has Killarney connections

Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week. Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 has strong Killarney connections. The previous record […]

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Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week.

Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 has strong Killarney connections.

The previous record was held by 107-year-old Nancy Stewart who died on September 10 2021.

Although born in Belfast, Máirín went to school in the Mercy Convent. Her father was a customs and excise officer and the family moved around a lot eventually coming to Killarney after spells in County Down and Dublin.

Her mother came from the Rathmore area and her father was from Newmarket in County Cork.

She attended the Mercy Convent and has, in previous interviews, recalled growing up on the shores of Lough Lein.

“Neighbours who had three children were given the job of taking me to school,” she said. “They were annoyed because the children were going to school for two or three years but I was put in to the same class as them – my mother had taught me.”

In 2021 she featured in the book ‘Independence Memories: A People’s Portrait of the Early Days of the Irish Nation’, sharing stories of being kept in school in Killarney during an attack on the RIC barracks down the road.

In 1924 she started a degree in science and a diploma in education at University College Cork, before working in the pathology lab in University College Cork’s Department of Medicine for 16 years.

last year she recalled her story on the podcast: ‘Living History – Irish Life and Lore’.

During the broadcast she talked about her parents’ membership of the Gaelic League in 1910; the Spanish Flu in Ireland in 1918; The Black and Tans in Killarney in 1921; the early days of the new Free State; Eucharistic Congress in Dublin in 1932, visiting the Basket Islands in 1929; and working in the UCC medical laboratory from 1932 until 1948.

This week President Michael D. Higgins hosted an afternoon tea event to celebrate the important role that a variety of people have and can play in different communities and Máirín was among the guests of honour.

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