Mick Lally
Encyclopedia
Michael 'Mick' Lally was an Irish
stage, film and television actor. He departed from a teaching career for acting during the 1970s. Though best known in Ireland
for his role as Miley
in the television soap Glenroe
, Lally's stage career spanned several decades, and he was involved in feature films such as Alexander
and the Academy Award-nominated
The Secret of Kells. He died in August 2010 after a battle with emphysema
. Many reports cited him as one of Ireland's finest and most recognisable actors.
village of Tourmakeady
, County Mayo
, Mick (Michael) Lally was the eldest of a family of seven children; five sisters and one brother. He went to the local national school in Tourmakeady and then to St. Mary's College, Galway. After studying at University College Galway he taught history and Irish for six years in Tuam
, from 1969 to 1975, but quit teaching to pursue his career as a stage actor.
(Ireland's national Irish language
theatre), and was a founding member of the Druid Theatre Company
. Lally received an Irish Times/ESB Theatre Award Nomination for Best Actor for his role in Druid's production of The Dead School
. Lally also became a member of the Field Day Theatre Company
, and starred in the company's 1980 premiere of Brian Friel
's play Translations
. He first played at the Abbey Theatre
in 1977 in a production of Wild Oats and went on to perform in many other Abbey productions.
In 1982, Mick starred in the TV series The Ballroom of Romance
alongside Brenda Fricker
. From 1983 he played the role of Miley Byrne in the RTÉ
soap Glenroe
, reprising the character that he played earlier in the Bracken
in 1978. In 1979, Lally won a Jacob's Award for his performance as Miley in Bracken. Lally also enjoyed some musical success when "The By-road to Glenroe
" went to the top of the Irish charts in 1990. He was also involved in voice-over work - including a noted advertisement for Kilmeaden Cheese during the 1990s. Other TV appearances included roles in Tales of Kinvarna, 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
. Other film roles included: Poitín
, Our Boys, The Outcasts, A Man of No Importance
and others. In later years, Lally provided the voice of Brother Aidan in the Academy Award-nominated
The Secret of Kells
- an animated
film directed by Tomm Moore
.
Taoiseach
Brian Cowen
led tributes, saying he was "shocked and saddened" by the man's death, and calling him "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, were among the other political tributes. Arts Council of Ireland
chair Pat Moylan
called it "a sad and shocking loss". Lally's screenwife Biddy
aka Mary McEvoy
said "Mick and I loved each other and we got on really well".
Lally's funeral took place in Dublin on 2 September 2010. It was said that the "nation has lost one of its favourite uncles". Personalities from TV, film, theatre and politics attended, while President of Ireland
Mary McAleese
sent a letter and Lally received a standing ovation at the end.
Lally was a fluent speaker of the Irish language
, and his children study in Irish-speaking schools (gaelscoil
eanna). He appeared in several Irish language productions through-out his career, from Poitín
in 1978, through to an appearance in the Irish language soap
Ros na Rún
in 2008.
He was a supporter of socialist causes, and canvassed for Socialist Party
candidate Joe Higgins
in the 1996 Dublin West by-election and the 1997 general election. Lally was an atheist
who did not believe in an afterlife, and regarded religion as nonsense and "codology".
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
stage, film and television actor. He departed from a teaching career for acting during the 1970s. Though best known in Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
for his role as Miley
Miley
Miley may refer to:* Miley Cyrus , an American actress and musician* Miley , Miley as a given name* Miley Places:* Fort Miley Military Reservation* Miley, California* Miley Memorial Field...
in the television soap Glenroe
Glenroe
Glenroe was an Irish television drama series broadcast between September 1983 and May 2001 on RTÉ One. The programme was a spin-off from Bracken, a short-lived RTÉ drama itself spun off from The Riordans. Glenroe was broadcast on Sunday nights at 20.30, generally from September to May. The show was...
, Lally's stage career spanned several decades, and he was involved in feature films such as Alexander
Alexander (film)
Alexander is a 2004 epic film based on the life of Alexander the Great. It is not a remake of the 1956 film which starred Richard Burton. It was directed by Oliver Stone, with Colin Farrell in the title role...
and the Academy Award-nominated
82nd Academy Awards
The 82nd Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences , honored the best films of 2009 and took place March 7, 2010, at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles beginning at 5:30 p.m. PST / 8:30 p.m. EST. The ceremony was scheduled well after...
The Secret of Kells. He died in August 2010 after a battle with emphysema
Emphysema
Emphysema is a long-term, progressive disease of the lungs that primarily causes shortness of breath. In people with emphysema, the tissues necessary to support the physical shape and function of the lungs are destroyed. It is included in a group of diseases called chronic obstructive pulmonary...
. Many reports cited him as one of Ireland's finest and most recognisable actors.
Early life
Born in November 1945 and reared in the GaeltachtGaeltacht
is the Irish language word meaning an Irish-speaking region. In Ireland, the Gaeltacht, or an Ghaeltacht, refers individually to any, or collectively to all, of the districts where the government recognises that the Irish language is the predominant language, that is, the vernacular spoken at home...
village of Tourmakeady
Tourmakeady
Tuar Mhic Éadaigh is a small village in County Mayo, Ireland. It has a population of about 1000 people. It is located on the shores of Lough Mask. Part of Tourmakeady was originally in neighbouring County Galway, but was placed under the administration of County Mayo in 1898...
, County Mayo
County Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
, Mick (Michael) Lally was the eldest of a family of seven children; five sisters and one brother. He went to the local national school in Tourmakeady and then to St. Mary's College, Galway. After studying at University College Galway he taught history and Irish for six years in Tuam
Tuam
Tuam is a town in County Galway, Ireland. The name is pronounced choo-um . It is situated west of the midlands of Ireland, and north of Galway city.-History:...
, from 1969 to 1975, but quit teaching to pursue his career as a stage actor.
Career
Mick began his acting career with Taibhdhearc na GaillimheTaibhdhearc na Gaillimhe
Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe or An Taibhdhearc , abbreviated TnaG, is the national Irish language theatre of Ireland. It was founded in 1928....
(Ireland's national Irish language
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
theatre), and was a founding member of the Druid Theatre Company
Druid Theatre Company
The Druid Theatre Company, founded in Galway in 1975, was the first Irish professional theatre company to be established outside Dublin. The theatre company was founded by Garry Hynes, Marie Mullen and Mick Lally after the three had met and put on productions together while members of the...
. Lally received an Irish Times/ESB Theatre Award Nomination for Best Actor for his role in Druid's production of The Dead School
The Dead School
The Dead School is a novel by Irish writer Patrick McCabe-Synopsis:Set in small-town Ireland, 'The Dead School' tells the intriguing story about two interacting characters: Raphael Bell, an old schoolmaster, and Malachy Dudgeon, a young teacher....
. Lally also became a member of the Field Day Theatre Company
Field Day Theatre Company
The Field Day Theatre Company began as an artistic collaboration between playwright Brian Friel and actor Stephen Rea. In 1980, the duo set out to launch a production of Friel's recently completed play, Translations. They decided to rehearse and premiere the play in Derry with the hope of...
, and starred in the company's 1980 premiere of Brian Friel
Brian Friel
Brian Friel is an Irish dramatist, author and director of the Field Day Theatre Company. He is considered to be the greatest living English-language dramatist, hailed by the English-speaking world as an "Irish Chekhov" and "the universally accented voice of Ireland"...
's play Translations
Translations
Translations is a three-act play by Irish playwright Brian Friel written in 1980. It is set in Baile Beag , a small village at the heart of 19th century agricultural Ireland...
. He first played at the Abbey Theatre
Abbey Theatre
The Abbey Theatre , also known as the National Theatre of Ireland , is a theatre located in Dublin, Ireland. The Abbey first opened its doors to the public on 27 December 1904. Despite losing its original building to a fire in 1951, it has remained active to the present day...
in 1977 in a production of Wild Oats and went on to perform in many other Abbey productions.
In 1982, Mick starred in the TV series The Ballroom of Romance
The Ballroom of Romance
The Ballroom of Romance is a 1982 film directed by Pat O'Connor....
alongside Brenda Fricker
Brenda Fricker
Brenda Fricker is an Irish actress of theatre, film and television. She had appeared in more than 30 films and television roles...
. From 1983 he played the role of Miley Byrne in the RTÉ
RTE
RTÉ is the abbreviation for Raidió Teilifís Éireann, the public broadcasting service of the Republic of Ireland.RTE may also refer to:* Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, 25th Prime Minister of Turkey...
soap Glenroe
Glenroe
Glenroe was an Irish television drama series broadcast between September 1983 and May 2001 on RTÉ One. The programme was a spin-off from Bracken, a short-lived RTÉ drama itself spun off from The Riordans. Glenroe was broadcast on Sunday nights at 20.30, generally from September to May. The show was...
, reprising the character that he played earlier in the Bracken
Bracken (TV series)
Bracken was an Irish television soap opera broadcast from 1978 to 1982 on RTÉ One in Ireland. It mainly centred about rural life in and around County Wicklow in the Republic of Ireland. The main stars of the show were Gabriel Byrne and Niall Tóibín...
in 1978. In 1979, Lally won a Jacob's Award for his performance as Miley in Bracken. Lally also enjoyed some musical success when "The By-road to Glenroe
The By-road to Glenroe
"The By-road to Glenroe" was a song from the Irish television series Glenroe, performed by actor Mick Lally in character as Miley Byrne in honour of his wife Biddy. The song was released as a single in 1990, with the show's theme song performed by Jim Lockhart as the B-side, and was Number 1 on the...
" went to the top of the Irish charts in 1990. He was also involved in voice-over work - including a noted advertisement for Kilmeaden Cheese during the 1990s. Other TV appearances included roles in Tales of Kinvarna, The Year of the French and Ballykissangel
Ballykissangel
Ballykissangel is a BBC television drama set in Ireland, produced in-house by BBC Northern Ireland. The original story revolved around a young English Roman Catholic priest as he became part of a rural community. It ran for six series, which were first broadcast on BBC One in the UK from 1996 to 2001...
.
In 1994, Lally played the character Hugh in The Secret of Roan Inish
The Secret of Roan Inish
The Secret of Roan Inish is an American independent film written and directed by John Sayles, and released in 1994. It's based on the novel The Secret of Ron Mor Skerry, by Rosalie K. Fry....
, and in 1995 portrayed Dan Hogan in the film adaptation of Maeve Binchy
Maeve Binchy
Maeve Binchy is an Irish novelist, newspaper columnist and speaker. Educated at University College Dublin, she worked as a teacher then a journalist at The Irish Times and later became a writer of novels and short stories.Many of her novels are set in Ireland, dealing with the tensions between...
's Circle Of Friends
Circle of Friends (1995 film)
Circle of Friends is a 1995 film directed by Irish filmmaker Pat O'Connor and based on the novel of the same name written by Maeve Binchy.-Plot:...
. Other film roles included: Poitín
Poitín (Film)
Poitín was the first feature film to be made entirely in Irish. It was also the first recipient of a film script grant from the Arts Council of Ireland.-Plot:...
, Our Boys, The Outcasts, A Man of No Importance
A Man of No Importance (film)
A Man of No Importance is a 1994 comedy drama film directed by Suri Krishnamma and starring Albert Finney.-Synopsis:Alfred Byrne is a closeted homosexual bus conductor in 1963 Dublin. His sister tries to find him a suitable woman, but his real passion is putting on amateur theater productions of...
and others. In later years, Lally provided the voice of Brother Aidan in the Academy Award-nominated
82nd Academy Awards
The 82nd Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences , honored the best films of 2009 and took place March 7, 2010, at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles beginning at 5:30 p.m. PST / 8:30 p.m. EST. The ceremony was scheduled well after...
The Secret of Kells
Brendan and the Secret of Kells
The Secret of Kells is a 2009 Irish-French-Belgian animated feature film by Cartoon Saloon that premiered on February 8, 2009, at the Berlin International Film Festival. It went into wide release in Belgium and France on February 11, and in the Republic of Ireland on March 3...
- an animated
Animation
Animation is the rapid display of a sequence of images of 2-D or 3-D artwork or model positions in order to create an illusion of movement. The effect is an optical illusion of motion due to the phenomenon of persistence of vision, and can be created and demonstrated in several ways...
film directed by Tomm Moore
Tomm Moore
Tomm Moore is an Irish illustrator, comics artist and filmmaker. He is co-founder of Cartoon Saloon, an animation studio and production company, based in Kilkenny, Ireland...
.
Death
Lally died on the morning of 31 August 2010, after a short stay in hospital. Cause of death was reported as heart failure - arising from an underlying emphysema condition. His death led to "widespread outpourings of sympathy".Taoiseach
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
Brian Cowen
Brian Cowen
Brian Cowen is a former Irish politician who served as Taoiseach of Ireland from 7 May 2008 to 9 March 2011. He was head of a coalition government led by Fianna Fáil which until 23 January 2011 had the support of the Green Party and independent TDs.Cowen was also leader of Fianna Fáil from 7 May...
led tributes, saying he was "shocked and saddened" by the man's death, and calling him "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
Mary Hanafin
Mary Hanafin is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who was a Teachta Dála for Dún Laoghaire from 1997 to 2011. She served as Government Chief Whip , Minister for Education and Science , Minister for Social and Family Affairs , Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport and Minister for Enterprise,...
and Michael D. Higgins
Michael D. Higgins
Michael Daniel Higgins is the ninth and current President of Ireland, having taken office on 11 November 2011 following victory in the 2011 Irish presidential election. Higgins is an Irish politician, poet, sociologist, author and broadcaster. Higgins was President of the Labour Party until his...
TD, former Minister for Arts, Culture & Gaeltacht, were among the other political tributes. Arts Council of Ireland
Arts Council of Ireland
The Arts Council of Ireland was founded in 1951 by the Government of Ireland to encourage interest in Irish art and channel to funding from the state to Irish artists and arts organisations...
chair Pat Moylan
Pat Moylan
Pat Moylan is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician and member of Seanad Éireann.Born in Banagher, County Offaly, where he still lives, he is married with three sons and one daughter....
called it "a sad and shocking loss". Lally's screenwife Biddy
Biddy
Biddy is a given name which may refer to:People:* Biddy Anderson , South African cricketer* Biddy Baxter , English television producer* Biddy Dolan , American Major League Baseball player* Biddy Early Biddy is a given name which may refer to:People:* Biddy Anderson (1874–1926), South African...
aka Mary McEvoy
Mary McEvoy
Mary McEvoy is an Irish actress. She is recognised by television viewers for having played the role of Biddy Byrne in Glenroe from 1983-2000...
said "Mick and I loved each other and we got on really well".
Lally's funeral took place in Dublin on 2 September 2010. It was said that the "nation has lost one of its favourite uncles". Personalities from TV, film, theatre and politics attended, while President of Ireland
President of Ireland
The President of Ireland is the head of state of Ireland. The President is usually directly elected by the people for seven years, and can be elected for a maximum of two terms. The presidency is largely a ceremonial office, but the President does exercise certain limited powers with absolute...
Mary McAleese
Mary McAleese
Mary Patricia McAleese served as the eighth President of Ireland from 1997 to 2011. She was the second female president and was first elected in 1997 succeeding Mary Robinson, making McAleese the world's first woman to succeed another as president. She was re-elected unopposed for a second term in...
sent a letter and Lally received a standing ovation at the end.
Personal life
Lally was married to a nurse, Peige, with whom he celebrated his 30th wedding anniversary the year before his death. Three children resulted: Saileog, Darach and Maghnus. Lally's parents were both alive when he died.Lally was a fluent speaker of the Irish language
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
, and his children study in Irish-speaking schools (gaelscoil
Gaelscoil
A gaelscoil is an Irish-medium primary school in Ireland, of a sort found outside the traditionally Irish-speaking regions, especially in urban areas....
eanna). He appeared in several Irish language productions through-out his career, from Poitín
Poitín (Film)
Poitín was the first feature film to be made entirely in Irish. It was also the first recipient of a film script grant from the Arts Council of Ireland.-Plot:...
in 1978, through to an appearance in the Irish language soap
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
Ros na Rún
Ros na Rún
Ros na Rún is an Irish soap opera produced for Irish language TV channel TG4. It broadcasts for 35 weeks of the year, airing 2 episodes each week.It airs in Ireland, Scotland and the United States.-Show history:...
in 2008.
He was a supporter of socialist causes, and canvassed for Socialist Party
Socialist Party (Ireland)
The Socialist Party is a socialist political party active in Ireland. It is a member of the Committee for a Workers' International .Formerly known as Militant Tendency, then Militant Labour, it adopted the name The Socialist Party in 1996. From their foundation in 1972 until the 1980s, members of...
candidate Joe Higgins
Joe Higgins
Joe Higgins is an Irish Socialist Party politician. In the 2011 general election he was elected to Dáil Éireann as Teachta Dála for the Dublin West constituency, having previously served in that capacity from 1997–2007...
in the 1996 Dublin West by-election and the 1997 general election. Lally was an atheist
Atheism
Atheism is, in a broad sense, the rejection of belief in the existence of deities. In a narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there are no deities...
who did not believe in an afterlife, and regarded religion as nonsense and "codology".
Selected filmography
- The Secret of Kells (2009)
- Middletown (2006)
- AlexanderAlexander (film)Alexander is a 2004 epic film based on the life of Alexander the Great. It is not a remake of the 1956 film which starred Richard Burton. It was directed by Oliver Stone, with Colin Farrell in the title role...
(2004) - The Halo Effect (2004)
- How to Cheat in the Leaving CertificateHow to Cheat in the Leaving CertificateHow To Cheat In The Leaving Certificate is an independent film directed by Graham Jones, in which six teens devise a plan to cheat on their Leaving Certificate. The film was shot in black and white on Super 16mm. After being hailed by critics it was blown up to 35mm for theatrical distribution...
(1997) - Circle of FriendsCircle of Friends (1995 film)Circle of Friends is a 1995 film directed by Irish filmmaker Pat O'Connor and based on the novel of the same name written by Maeve Binchy.-Plot:...
(1995) - Scarlett (1994)
- The Secret of Roan InishThe Secret of Roan InishThe Secret of Roan Inish is an American independent film written and directed by John Sayles, and released in 1994. It's based on the novel The Secret of Ron Mor Skerry, by Rosalie K. Fry....
(1994) - A Man of No ImportanceA Man of No Importance (film)A Man of No Importance is a 1994 comedy drama film directed by Suri Krishnamma and starring Albert Finney.-Synopsis:Alfred Byrne is a closeted homosexual bus conductor in 1963 Dublin. His sister tries to find him a suitable woman, but his real passion is putting on amateur theater productions of...
(1994) - Misteach Baile Ath Cliath (1994)
- Horse (1993)
- Fools of FortuneFools of FortuneFools of Fortune is a 1990 British drama film directed by Pat O'Connor and starring Iain Glen, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Julie Christie, Amy Joyce Hastings and Michael Kitchen. It depicts a Protestant family caught up in the conflict between the British army and the IRA during the Irish War of...
(1990) - That's All Right (1989)
- Upon My Word (1989)
- The Fantasist (1986)
- GlenroeGlenroeGlenroe was an Irish television drama series broadcast between September 1983 and May 2001 on RTÉ One. The programme was a spin-off from Bracken, a short-lived RTÉ drama itself spun off from The Riordans. Glenroe was broadcast on Sunday nights at 20.30, generally from September to May. The show was...
(1983) - The Outcasts (1982)
- The Year of the French (1982)
- The Ballroom of RomanceThe Ballroom of RomanceThe Ballroom of Romance is a 1982 film directed by Pat O'Connor....
(1982) - Our Boys (1981)
- Strumpet CityStrumpet CityStrumpet City is a historical novel by James Plunkett set in Dublin, Ireland, at the time of the Dublin Lock-out. In 1980, it was adapted into a successful TV drama by Radio Telefís Éireann, Ireland's national broadcaster...
(1980) - PoitínPoitín (Film)Poitín was the first feature film to be made entirely in Irish. It was also the first recipient of a film script grant from the Arts Council of Ireland.-Plot:...
(1978) - BrackenBracken (TV series)Bracken was an Irish television soap opera broadcast from 1978 to 1982 on RTÉ One in Ireland. It mainly centred about rural life in and around County Wicklow in the Republic of Ireland. The main stars of the show were Gabriel Byrne and Niall Tóibín...
(1978)
Theatre roles
- TranslationsTranslationsTranslations is a three-act play by Irish playwright Brian Friel written in 1980. It is set in Baile Beag , a small village at the heart of 19th century agricultural Ireland...
, as Manus (1980) - The Year of the HikerJohn B. KeaneJohn Brendan Keane was an Irish playwright, novelist and essayist from Listowel, County Kerry.-Life and career:...
(1990) - The MatchmakerJohn B. KeaneJohn Brendan Keane was an Irish playwright, novelist and essayist from Listowel, County Kerry.-Life and career:...
(2010)
External links
- Images of Mick Lally. RTÉ Stills Library.
- Mick Lally funeral photos. Irish Independent.
- Mick Lally. The Irish Times.
- Mick Lally - a man without measure. Galway Advertiser.