CervicalCheck campaigner Vicky Phelan’s family have invited the public to join them in a celebration of her life.

The events takes place in her native Mooncoin, in Co Kilkenny, on Sunday, November 27th and will be live-streamed around the world.

In a statement posted to the Vicky’s Tribe Facebook page last night, the Phelan and Kelly family said that “goodbyes are never easy” and last Thursday they said theirs to Vicky.

“Stories were told & tears were shed, but we also shared a smile or two as we remembered the remarkable life of our wonderful Vicky,” the families said.

“We would also like to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt gratitude for all the good wishes from near & far over the last week. We too felt the nation’s love & are forever grateful.

“Vicky was a friend to many & was keen to ensure that all who wanted had the opportunity to join with us in a celebration of her life & pay their final respects. With this in mind, we invite you to her native Mooncoin, Co Kilkenny on Sunday, November 27th next at 1pm, where we will do our best to honour that wish.

“As numbers in the church itself are limited, there will be a live stream available on the day also, details of which will be posted later in the weeklong with further updates on the event itself. At this point it’s fair to say that music will feature prominently, with some of her favourite musicians playing a few of her favourite tunes on the day.”

Ms Phelan’s legacy and activism is being honoured this month following her sad passing last Monday 14th November at the age of 48. She was diagnosed with advanced cervical cancer in 2014, three years after undergoing a smear test which showed no abnormalities. Vicky’s High Court action over her wrong test result exposed the cervical cancer screening scandal in which more than 221 women’s smear test readings missed abnormalities.

Tributes to Ms Phelan this week hailed a warrior who fought for patients everywhere, up to the point of her death.

She told her story in a memoir Overcoming in 2019 which became the An Post Book of the Year.