Touring portrait of crusading mother continues ‘legacy’
A QUIET revolution has been brewing since Vicky Phelan’s death as supporters continue to spread her message of hope.
The Vicky Phelan Campaign and Portrait tour was hosted in Gort, Co Galway, this weekend as its nationwide tour continues.
Measuring an impressive 300cm x 150cm, the triptych portrait by artist Vincent Devine was inspired by the campaigning mum-of-two’s courage.
Vicky’s childhood pal David Brennan is the driving force behind the tour which will visit Limerick in November, around the anniversary of her death.
He revealed: “We’re booked right up until the end of 2024, there’s huge demand in universities, schools, cancer support centres.
EMPOWERMENT
“This is her legacy, it’s about bringing Vicky’s campaign and message of empowerment to everybody, both men and women.
“I tell Vicky’s story... I grew up next door to Vicky in Mooncoin. I bought the portrait when it was unveiled. Every time I do it I end up in floods of tears.
“This is the power of Vicky; this is how she touched people, she is in our hearts. This is Vicky’s work, I’m just the conduit for it.”
Vicky’s mum Gaby added that she attends the events to hear stories about her daughter.
She said: “We find out things she’s done and people she met and helped that we never knew about.”
Such is Vicky’s reach that a well in Uganda has now been named after her. Irishman Aidan Jordan of Wells of Life charity organised the tribute.
David said: “They have wells named after celebrities and sports personalities, and now there is one named after Vicky too.”