Her father was a prosperous Kilkenny merchant who owned and ran the Monster House, a major department store in the city.

She had two sisters, Nin and Eva and two brothers Jack and Paddy who were from that marriage and three half-brothers Peter, Tommy and Dick.

[1][2] She went both to the Loreto Convent, Kilkenny, and Our Lady's Bower in Athlone, before going to University College Cork where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Commerce in 1923.

Phelan was aware of the losses the city had suffered in buildings which were destroyed or fell down during the time when there was no focus group to protect them.

[10] When she died Kilkenny gave her a ceremonial civic funeral with Sergeants-at-arms carrying the sword and mace while the mayor and corporation wore their robes and chains of office.