[3] Though best known in Ireland for his role as Miley Byrne in the television soap Glenroe,[4] Lally's stage career spanned several decades,[5] and he was involved in feature films such as Alexander and the Academy Award-nominated The Secret of Kells.

Lally received an Irish Times/ESB Theatre Award Nomination for Best Actor for his role in Druid's production of The Dead School.

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.

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.

[12] Lally appeared in several TV advertisements encouraging elderly people to "release the equity tied up in their homes" during the Celtic Tiger.

[citation needed] Lally was married to a nurse, Peige Ní Chonghaile,[13] with whom he celebrated his 30th wedding anniversary the year before his death.

[14] 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".

[21] Personalities from TV, film, theatre, and politics attended, while President of Ireland Mary McAleese sent a letter of condolence.