Team Vicky: From royalty to rock stars, Vicky Phelan had high-profile supporters

Jennifer Stevens recounts the high-profile people who felt privileged to meet the plucky campaigner

Vicky Phelan with her son Darragh. Picture: Sean Curtin True Media.

There can be no doubt of the esteem in which everyone in Ireland holds Vicky Phelan, but her courage, strength, and bravery have impressed everyone from royalty to rock stars. The health campaigner had a unique ability to connect not only with the public but with high-profile people too.

This will come as no surprise to Vicky’s beloved parents, John and Gaby. When she was just aged three and three quarters, and demanding to be allowed to start school, her mum marched her down to meet Mr Dineen, the principal of Carrigeen National School in Co Kilkenny. Gaby was expecting her to be dissuaded by the meeting, but Vicky had a plan. She stood up tall on her chair, pulled a book from her satchel and started reading.