Actor. He was best known for playing the character roles of speakers, brothers, uncles, priests, horse trainers, bus conductors, chief examiners, dads, old men, horse sellers, and grandfathers. He will be best remembered for playing the role of 'Scarf Michael' in the film drama, "The Outcasts" (1982). The film which was directed by and written by Robert Wynne-Simmons, and which also starred Mary Ryan, Cyril Cusack, and Tom Jordan, tells the story of in 1810 Ireland, a man whose wife has died and finds that his daughter is accused of being a witch. A magic fiddler comes to her aid. He is also best remembered for playing the role of 'Louis Dargan' in eight episodes of the popular Irish comedy-drama television series, "Ballykissangel," which originally aired in 2001, and which also starred Frankie McCafferty, Joe Saviano, and Deirdre Donnelly, tells the story of an English priest is transferred to a small Irish village. He was born one of seven children as Michael Lally in Tourmakeady, County Mayo, Ireland, to Thomas Lally (1913-2013), and his wife May McGing Lally (1924-2014), on November 10, 1945. He was educated locally and later attended the prestigious St. Mary's College in Galway, Ireland, and the University College in Galway, Ireland. He initially began his acting career on the stage and was a member of the Field Day Theater Company, a Northern Irish troupe with Brian Friel and Stephen Rea and he played in the original production of Brian Friel's play, "Translations" (1980), in Derry, Ireland. He also appeared on the stage as 'Christy Mahon' in John Millington Synge's play, "The Playboy Of The Western World" (1975), in Galway, Ireland, he played 'Christy Mahon's father' in the John Millington Synge's play, "The Playboy Of The Western World" (1986), in New York, he originated the role of 'Mick Dowd' in Martin McDonagh's play, "A Skull In Connemara" (1997), in Galway, Ireland, and London, England, and lastly, he acted in John Millington Synge's play "The Playboy Of The Western World" (2006), in Minneapolis, Minnesota and in New York City, New York. During this time he also made the transition to films and eventually to appearing on television. He made his actual film debut playing the role of a 'Garda Sergeant' in the film drama, "Poitín" (1978). The film which was directed by Bob Quinn, which was written for the screen by Colm Bairead, and which also starred Cyril Cusack, Donal McCann, and Niall Toibin, tells the story of a poitín maker who attempts to avoid the attentions of the Gardaí in Connemara in the west of Ireland. Besides, playing the role of a 'Garda Sergeant' in the film drama, "Poitín" (1978), and playing the role of 'Scarf Michael' in the film drama, "The Outcasts" (1982), his many other film credits include, "Roma" (1979),"Our Boys" (1981), "Angel" (1982), "A Painful Case" (1984), "The Ballroom Of Romance" (1986), "The Fantasist" (1986), "Upon My Word" (1989), "That's All Right" (1989), "Fools Of Fortune" (1990), "Horse" (1993), "The Secret Of Roan Irish" (1994), "A Man Of No Importance" (1994), "Misteach Bhaile Átha Cliath" (1994), "Circle Of Friends" (1995), "How To Cheat In The Leaving Certificate" (1997), "Bitte Autumn, Bright Winter" (2002), "The Halo Effect" (2004), "Alexander" (2004), "Middletown" (2006), "Bua" (2007), "The Secret Of Kells (2009, He voiced the character of 'Brother Adrian' in the Oscar nominated animated film), "Passing" (2010), and "Snap" (2010). Besides, playing the role of 'Louis Dargan' in eight episodes of the popular Irish comedy-drama television series, "Ballykissangel," which originally in 2001, and which also starred Frankie McCafferty, Joe Saviano, and Deirdre Donnelly, tells the story of an English priest is transferred to a small Irish village, his many other television credits include, "Xposé," "Tubridy Tonight," "Thursday Play Date," "Reeling In The Years," "Strumpet City," "Bracken," (He played the role of 'Miley Byrne' in nine episodes of the Irish soap opera television series, from 1980-1982. The role also earned him a Jacob's Award.), "The Year Of The French," "The Irish R.M." "Scarlett," and "Glenroe," (He played the role of 'Miley Byrne' in twenty episodes of the dramatic television series, from 1983-2020). His last film role was playing 'Michael' in the short fantasy film drama, "Cairdeas" (2010). The film which was directed by and written by Kevin Glynn, and which also starred Eamonn Draper, Joe Greaney, and Johnny O' Dowd, tells the story of friendship, a chess game, and some things that never end. The film was released the same year of his death. During his acting career, he also used the name Michael Lally and Micheál Ó Maolallaí. Besides, acting, he was also known for being the co-founder of the Druid Theatre Company in Galway, Ireland, he could speak the Irish language fluently, and was also a teacher and taught the Irish language to students at the Archbishop McHale College in Tuma, Ireland, from 1969 to 1975. He continued to act and entertain until his death. He passed away from heart disease and emphysema on August 31, 2010, at the age of 64. Following his death, his funeral services followed on September 2, 2010, and in attendance were such guests as his wife, his two sons, his daughter, his mother, Ruairi de Blacam (nephew), actor Brendan Gleeson (The Secret of Kells as "Abbott Cellach"), actress Geraldine Plunkett (appeared in one episode of Glenroe), actor Johnny Murphy, actor John Kavanagh and his daughter Rachel (also an actress), actress Mary McEvoy, actor Barry McGovern, and actor Alan Stanford. The President of Ireland Mary McAleese sent a letter of condolence and The Irish Examiner commented that the "nation has lost one of its favourite uncles." He received a standing ovation at the end of the funeral services. He was buried in Newlands Cross Cemetery and Crematorium in Dublin, Ireland. He was married to Peige Ní Chonghaile Lally in October of 1979. The couple had three children together, Saileog, Darach, and Maghnus. His wife Peige survived him and she passed away in Galway, Ireland, on November 1, 2019.