Hi again
Several PHELAN queries have appeared on this website in recent days and I wonder whether any of these people are related to your W J Phelan, who emigrated to South Africa.
Might be worth keeping an eye on these queries, to see what unfolds.
For the record, it appears the Phelan surname cropped up in many Irish counties, so perhaps keep an open mind as to where your ancestor may have originated
Cheers