Phelan was born on 2 January 1856, in Johnstown, Kilkenny, Ireland, to Martin and Margaret Phelan,[1] and educated at Mount Melleray Seminary, and St. Patrick's College, Carlow.

[3] Phelan was a founder and frequent contributor to Austral Light.

On 2 November 1912, he was appointed Bishop of Sale, a position he held until his death on 5 January 1925, in a private hospital in Dublin, Ireland where he was receiving medical treatment.

The Bishop Phelan Stadium, on the St Patrick's Campus of the Catholic College Sale, is named in his honour.

Phelan's brother Micheal became a Jesuit priest and also ministered in Australia.