{{Short description|Irish actor (1945–2010)}} {{Use Hiberno-English|date=February 2021}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}} {{Infobox person | image = Mick_lally.jpg | image_size = 220px | name = Mick Lally | birth_name = Michael Lally | birth_date = {{birth date|1945|11|10|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Tourmakeady]], [[County Mayo]], Ireland | death_date = {{death date and age|2010|08|31|1945|11|10|df=y}} | death_place = [[Dublin]], Ireland | occupation = Actor | years_active = 1974–2010 | spouse = {{marriage|Peige Ní Chonghaile|1979}}<ref>{{cite news|first=Lorna|last=Siggins|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/druid-artistic-director-garry-hynes-and-producer-martha-o-neill-become-civil-partners-1.2043246|title=Druid artistic director Garry Hynes and producer Martha O'Neill become civil partners: Private ceremony took place in Druid's Mick Lally Theatre|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=19 December 2014|quote=Actors Marie Mullen and Seán McGinley were invited, along with Peige Lally, widow of the late Mick Lally, Druid general manager Sarah Lynch and production associate Craig Flaherty.}}</ref> | children = 3 }} '''Michael Lally''' (10 November 1945 – 31 August 2010)<ref name="Irish Times Obituary">{{cite news|title=Star of stage and screen who played role in all our lives|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/obituaries/2010/0904/1224278192533.html|accessdate=6 September 2010|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|date=4 September 2010}}</ref><ref name="RTÉ News: aged 64">{{cite news|title=Actor Mick Lally dies aged 64|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0831/lallym.html|accessdate=31 August 2010|newspaper=[[RTÉ News and Current Affairs]]|date=31 August 2010}}</ref> was an [[Irish people|Irish]] stage, film, and television actor. He left a teaching career for acting during the 1970s.<ref name="RTÉ News: aged 64"/> Though best known in Ireland for his role as Miley Byrne in the television soap ''[[Glenroe]]'',<ref name="BBC">{{cite news|title=Ballykissangel and Glenroe actor Mick Lally dies|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-11138697|accessdate=31 August 2010|newspaper=[[BBC News]]|date=31 August 2010}}</ref> Lally's stage career spanned several decades,<ref name="abbey">[http://www.abbeytheatre.ie/people/view/mick_lally Abbey Theatre Website – People – Mick Lally] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716113929/http://www.abbeytheatre.ie/people/view/mick_lally |date=16 July 2011 }}</ref> and he was involved in feature films such as ''[[Alexander (2004 film)|Alexander]]'' and the [[82nd Academy Awards|Academy Award-nominated]] ''[[The Secret of Kells]]''.<ref>{{IMDb name|0482473}}</ref> He died in August 2010 of [[emphysema]].<ref name="herald">[https://www.independent.ie/regionals/herald/matchmaker-mick-missed-but-show-must-go-on/27960771.html ''The Herald'' (Ireland) – Matchmaker Mick missed, but show must go on – 1 September 2010]</ref> Many reports cited him as one of Ireland's finest and most recognisable actors.<ref name="RTÉ News: aged 64"/><ref name="BBC"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Miley's grown-up girl remembers the good times with Mick|url=http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around-town/mileys-grownup-girl-remembers-the-good-times-with-mick-2321758.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120801115400/http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around-town/mileys-grownup-girl-remembers-the-good-times-with-mick-2321758.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 August 2012|accessdate=2 September 2010|newspaper=[[Evening Herald]]|date=2 September 2010}}</ref>
==Early life== Born in November 1945 and reared in the [[Gaeltacht]] village of [[Toormakeady|Tourmakeady]], [[County Mayo]],<ref>[http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/features/2001/0505/01050500053.html Parting from Miley and looking at life after `Glenroe'], ''[[The Irish Times]]'', 5 May 2001.</ref> Michael "Mick" Lally was the eldest child of May and Tommy Lally. He had five sisters and one brother. He went to the local national school in Tourmakeady and then to [[St Mary's College, Galway]]. After studying history and Irish at [[NUI Galway|University College Galway]], where he won the British and Irish intervarsity boxing championship and performed in the student drama society, he taught for six years in [[Archbishop McHale College]], [[Tuam]] from 1969 to 1975, but quit teaching to pursue his career as a stage actor.
==Career== Lally began his acting career with [[Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe]] (Ireland's national [[Irish language]] theatre), and was a founding member of the [[Druid Theatre Company]]. Lally received an Irish Times/ESB Irish Theatre Awards Nomination for Best Actor for his role in Druid's production of ''[[The Dead School]]''.<ref name="abbey"/> He also became a member of the [[Field Day Theatre Company]], and starred in the company's 1980 premiere of [[Brian Friel]]'s play ''[[Translations (play)|Translations]]''. He first played at the [[Abbey Theatre]] in 1977 in a production of ''[[Wild Oats (play)|Wild Oats]]'' and went on to perform in many other Abbey productions.<ref name="abbey"/>
In 1982, Lally starred in the TV series ''[[The Ballroom of Romance]]'' alongside [[Brenda Fricker]]. From 1983 he played the role of farmer Miley Byrne in the [[RTÉ]] soap ''[[Glenroe]]'', reprising the character that he played earlier in the ''[[Bracken (TV series)|Bracken]]'' series in 1978. In 1979, Lally won a [[Jacob's Award]] for his performance as Miley in ''Bracken''.
Lally also had some musical success when "[[The By-road to Glenroe]]" went to the top of the Irish charts in 1990.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://irishcharts.ie/search/placement?page=1&search_type=artist&placement=Lally| website = irishcharts.ie | publisher = IRMA | title = Chart search - Mick Lally | accessdate = 6 September 2023 }}</ref> He was also involved in voice-over work – including a noted advertisement for Kilmeaden Cheese during the 1990s.<ref>Moynihan, Maria: [https://archive.today/20110722042403/http://www.farmersjournal.ie/2009/0321/ruralliving/countrylifestyle/feature.shtml Taking the Mick], ''[[Irish Farmers Journal]]'', 21 March 2009.</ref> Other TV appearances included roles in ''Tales of Kinvarna'', ''[[The Year of the French (TV serial)|The Year of the French]]'' and ''[[Ballykissangel]]''.
In 1994, Lally played the character Hugh in ''[[The Secret of Roan Inish]]'', and in 1995 portrayed Dan Hogan in the film adaptation of [[Maeve Binchy]]'s ''[[Circle of Friends (1995 film)|Circle of Friends]]''. Other film roles included: ''[[Poitín (film)|Poitín]]'', ''Our Boys'', ''The Outcasts'', ''[[A Man of No Importance (film)|A Man of No Importance]]'' and others. In later years, Lally provided the voice of Brother Aidan in the [[82nd Academy Awards|Academy Award-nominated]] ''[[Brendan and the Secret of Kells|The Secret of Kells]]'' – an animated film directed by [[Tomm Moore]].<ref>[http://www.irishfilmboard.ie/news/THE_SECRET_OF_KELLS_to_screen_at_the_Dublin_International_Film_Festival/844 THE SECRET OF KELLS to screen at the Dublin International Film Festival]</ref>
Lally appeared in several TV advertisements encouraging elderly people to "release the equity tied up in their homes" during the [[Celtic Tiger]].{{citation needed|date=January 2017}}
==Personal life== Lally was married to a nurse, Peige Ní Chonghaile,<ref>{{Cite web |title=LALLY, Peige : Death : Irish Times |url=https://notices.irishtimes.com/death/lally-peige/55995004 |access-date=2023-02-16 |website=notices.irishtimes.com}}</ref> with whom he celebrated his 30th wedding anniversary the year before his death. They had three children: Saileog, Darach, and Maghnus.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |date=2 September 2010 |title=Funeral of Mick Lally in Dublin |newspaper=[[The Irish Times]] |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/0902/breaking14.html |accessdate=2 September 2010}}</ref>
Lally was a fluent speaker of the [[Irish language]], and his children studied in Irish-speaking schools ([[gaelscoil]]eanna). He appeared in several Irish language productions throughout his career, from ''[[Poitín (film)|Poitín]]'' in 1978 to an appearance in the Irish language soap ''[[Ros na Rún]]'' in 2008.
He was a supporter of socialist causes,<ref>[http://www.independent.ie/national-news/actor-mick-lally-dies-aged-64-2318546.html Irish Independent – Actor Mick Lally dies aged 64 – 31 August 2010]</ref> and canvassed for [[Socialist Party (Ireland)|Socialist Party]] candidate [[Joe Higgins (politician)|Joe Higgins]] in the 1996 Dublin West by-election and the 1997 general election.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 2010 |title=The Late Mick Lally canvassing for Joe Higgins in the 1996 Dublin West by-election |url=https://irishelectionliterature.wordpress.com/2010/09/01/the-late-mick-lally-canvassing-for-joe-higgins-in-the-1996-dublin-west-by-election/}}</ref> Lally was an [[Atheism|atheist]] who did not believe in an afterlife, and regarded religion as nonsense and "codology".<ref>[http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2010/pc/pod-v-070310-51m17s-miriammeetslallyandmcevoy.mp3 RTÉ Podcast – Miriam Meets actors Mick Lally and Mary McEvoy – 7 March 2010]</ref>
==Death== Lally died on the morning of 31 August 2010, after a short stay in hospital.<ref name="RTÉ News: aged 64" /> The cause of death was reported as heart failure arising from an underlying emphysema condition.<ref name="herald"/> His death led to "widespread outpourings of sympathy".<ref>{{cite news|title=Outpouring of sympathy following death of legendary actor Mick Lally|url=http://www.advertiser.ie/mayo/article/30452|accessdate=3 September 2010|newspaper=[[Mayo Advertiser]]|date=3 September 2010}}</ref> In addition to his wife and children, he was survived by his parents and six siblings.<ref name=":0" />
[[Taoiseach]] [[Brian Cowen]] said he was "shocked and saddened" by Lally's death, adding that he was "one of the most loved actors of his generation and will be dearly missed by the public and his colleagues in theatre and television". Minister for Culture [[Mary Hanafin]] and [[Michael D. Higgins]] TD, former Minister for Arts, Culture & Gaeltacht, also expressed condolences. [[Arts Council of Ireland]] chair Pat Moylan called it "a sad and shocking loss". Lally's onscreen wife in ''Glenroe'', [[Mary McEvoy]], said "Mick and I loved each other and we got on really well".<ref>{{cite news|title=Glenroe co-star pays tribute to deceased Lally|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/glenroe-co-star-pays-tribute-to-deceased-lally-471531.html#ixzz0yVE8QNyn|accessdate=31 August 2010|newspaper=[[Irish Examiner]]|date=31 August 2010}}</ref>
Lally's funeral took place in Dublin on 2 September 2010.<ref>{{cite news|title=Funeral of actor Mick Lally in Dublin|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0902/lallym.html|accessdate=2 September 2010|newspaper=[[RTÉ News and Current Affairs]]|date=2 September 2010}}</ref> The ''[[Irish Examiner]]'' commented that the "nation has lost one of its favourite uncles".<ref>{{cite news|title=Nation's farewell to 'favourite uncle'|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-20129772.html|accessdate=3 September 2010|newspaper=[[Irish Examiner]]|date=3 September 2010}}</ref> Personalities from TV, film, theatre, and politics attended, while [[President of Ireland]] [[Mary McAleese]] sent a letter of condolence.<ref>{{cite news|title=Final ovation for Mick Lally as friends and colleagues recall a life well lived|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0903/1224278127289.html|accessdate=3 September 2010|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|date=3 September 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Mick leaves mourners wanting more|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/mick-leaves-mourners-wanting-more-2322951.html|accessdate=3 September 2010|newspaper=[[Irish Independent]]|date=3 September 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Final ovation for Mick Lally as friends and colleagues recall a life well lived |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/final-ovation-for-mick-lally-as-friends-and-colleagues-recall-a-life-well-lived-1.646017 |access-date=2023-02-16 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}}</ref>
==Selected filmography== *''[[The Secret of Kells]]'' (2009) *''[[Ros na Rún]]'' (2008) *''[[Alexander (2004 film)|Alexander]]'' (2004) *''[[How to Cheat in the Leaving Certificate]]'' (1997) *''[[Circle of Friends (1995 film)|Circle of Friends]]'' (1995) *''[[The Secret of Roan Inish]]'' (1994) *''[[A Man of No Importance (film)|A Man of No Importance]]'' (1994) *''[[Fools of Fortune]]'' (1990) *''[[The Fantasist]]'' (1986) *''[[Glenroe]]'' (1983) *''[[The Outcasts (1982 film)|The Outcasts]]'' (1982) *''[[The Year of the French (TV serial)|The Year of the French]]'' (1982) *''[[The Ballroom of Romance]]'' (1982) *''[[Strumpet City]]'' (1980) *''[[Poitín (Film)|Poitín]]'' (1978) *''[[Bracken (TV series)|Bracken]]'' (1978)
==Theatre roles== *''[[Translations (play)|Translations]]'', as Manus (1980) *''[[John B. Keane|The Year of the Hiker]]'' (1990) *''[[John B Keane|The Man from Clare]]'' (1992) *''[[DruidSynge]]'' (2005) *''[[John B. Keane|The Matchmaker]]'' (2010)
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb name|0482473}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20101005053045/http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0831/lallyimages_gallery.html Images of Mick Lally]. RTÉ Stills Library. * [http://www.independent.ie/national-news/mick-lally-funeral-2323330.html Mick Lally funeral photos]. ''Irish Independent''. * [http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2010/0901/1224277971985.html Mick Lally]. ''The Irish Times''. * [http://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/30340 Mick Lally – a man without measure]. ''Galway Advertiser''.
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Lally, Mick}} [[Category:1945 births]] [[Category:2010 deaths]] [[Category:20th-century atheists]] [[Category:21st-century atheists]] [[Category:20th-century Irish people]] [[Category:21st-century Irish people]] [[Category:Alumni of the University of Galway]] [[Category:Critics of religions]] [[Category:Deaths from emphysema]] [[Category:Disease-related deaths in the Republic of Ireland]] [[Category:Druid Theatre Company]] [[Category:Irish atheists]] [[Category:Irish socialists]] [[Category:Irish male film actors]] [[Category:Irish male television actors]] [[Category:Irish male soap opera actors]] [[Category:Irish male stage actors]] [[Category:Irish male voice actors]] [[Category:Jacob's Award winners]] [[Category:Actors from County Mayo]]