Lally returns to television soaps as wealthy businessman in 'Ros na Rún'

AFTER AN absence of seven years, actor Mick Lally is set to return to a television soap.

Lally was best known for playing a Co Wicklow farmer on RTÉ television for over 20 years, first in the rural soap Brackenand later in the long-running drama Glenroe.

He will join the cast of TG4's Irish language soap Ros na Rúnwhere he will play a very different role.

Lally, who is a fluent Irish speaker, will enter the Connemara village as a wealthy retired businessman who finds an "unexpected connection" to one of the soap's main characters.

Producers say in his storyline the character will "seek revenge when old family secrets are uncovered".

"We have a very powerful storyline in store for Mick's character which will have a huge impact on two of our best-loved characters," said Hugh Farley, the series producer of Ros na Rún, adding that Lally was a welcome addition to the cast.

Lally was one of only four actors to stay in Glenroefrom the first to last episode.

His character was best known for using the phrase "well, holy God".

At its height, the weekly drama attracted a million television viewers.

Since Glenroeended in May 2001, Lally has acted in a number of Irish and English language plays with Galway's Druid theatre, which he co-founded in 1975, and has had parts in films including Oliver Stone's Alexander, which starred Colin Farrell, and the film adaptation of Maeve Binchy's Circle of Friends.

Ros na Rúnhas been running for 13 years, and has a weekly audience of 300,0000 viewers.

Plotlines have included Ireland's first on-screen gay kiss and a webcam pornography scandal.Three episodes a week are shot at a set in Spiddal, Co Galway.

Lally will return to Irish television screens on Tuesday, September 23th. The programme will air every Tuesday and Thursday on TG4 at 8.30pm, with an omnibus edition on Sunday at 10.30pm.