Father Brian D'Arcy has paid tribute to his friend, actor Mick Lally, who died this week. He spoke to Yvonne Murphy

'An era has gone,'' Fr Brian D'Arcy told The Irish Catholic. ''He was a terrific actor. He made the common unique and the seemingly ordinary something that everyone identifies with. He put the country man on TV and made popular rural views and lifestyle.''

Referring to Lally's famous Miley catchphrase, Fr D'Arcy said: ''The way he said it, 'oh Holy God', he made it unique. People say it but he made it his own through his tone of voice.''

The talented actor shone in roles other than that of Miley Byrne, the priest added, and made reference to his memorable performance on stage as The Bull McCabe in John B Keane's The Field.

''Mick brought a gentleness to that character that made it more credible,'' he said.

On his love of acting and culture, Fr D'Arcy said Lally ''was especially interested in West of Ireland culture and was never afraid to work in small theatres to keep his craft alive''.

Spoke out

Beyond his public image, Fr D'Arcy described Lally as ''a quiet, principled man, against injustice, especially against the common man, he believed in labour party politics, didn't hide behind his image, but spoke out and gave his opinion without forcing it''.

Though saddened at news of the actor's passing, Fr D'Arcy said he had been aware of the actor's illness.

''The last few number of times I saw him I thought he was pushing himself. When he was in The Matchmaker - he didn't seem well.

''I tried to see him in every play he was in,'' Fr D'Arcy said. ''I would like to thank Miley for the inspiration he gave countrymen like myself. I am sad that he is gone. I have enormous respect for him. I will certainly miss him.''