From Bohermeen to the Seven Seas... Caolan making waves performing around the Mediterranean

Holly Alder

From the green fields of Bohermeen to the turbulent waves of the Mediterranean, Caolan Reilly’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, talent, passion and taking a leap of faith as he travels around the world performing for hundreds of people on Costa Cruise Lines.

It’s not every day you wake up in the middle of the sea, with a brand-new city waiting on your doorstep. But for the 27 -year-old entertainer, that’s just another morning at work. Sailing from country to country as a professional dancer on a cruise ship, Caolan is living a life many only dream of—performing on stage while exploring the world.

A former student of St. Patrick’s Classical School, Navan, Caolan graduated in 2015 and headed to Dublin to study Geography and English at Dublin City University, with the goal of becoming a secondary school teacher. While at DCU, he taught part-time at Bright Stars Stage School in Navan and remained active in St Mary’s Musical Society. But it was during this time, balancing his passion for performance with his studies, that he began to question whether he was truly on the right path.

Encouraged by friend and mentor Aisling Rountree from Ratoath, Caolan auditioned for the College of Dance in Dublin. He was accepted and trained intensively for a year in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, and commercial dance along with acting and singing. It was here that he found his true calling.

“It felt so good to wake up every morning and do what I really loved,” Caolan says. “The training was incredible, and the encouragement from my mentors and teachers meant the world to me, especially as someone entering the industry a little later than most.”

Though Caolan had been involved in dance for years through pantomimes with St Mary’s and Spotlight Stage School, the College of Dance helped him grow into a confident and capable performer. While attending the 2019 Perform Dance Convention in Dublin, he met Robert Foley, Head of Jazz at the Institute of the Arts Barcelona (IAB). Robert encouraged him to audition for the college, and with the backing of his teachers, Caolan gave it a shot.

On the same day that he auditioned, he didn’t just earn a spot on the musical theatre course, he landed a full scholarship.

“It wasn’t just fate. It felt like a sign that I was on the right path.”

Three whirlwind years at IAB followed, with rigorous training in dance, singing, and acting. Upon graduating, Caolan was signed by an agent and quickly booked three back-to-back land-based contracts before finally securing his dream job: a singer-dancer aboard a cruise ship.

His first cruise contract was with Marella Cruise Lines, where he performed in twelve shows, sometimes up to three times a day. Currently, he travels the Mediterranean with Costa Cruise Lines, where the schedule allows more time to rest and explore the cities where the ship docks.

“I’ve gotten to travel to so many beautiful and amazing places - Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, Portugal, Turkey, Greece, Malta and many more. During the day we can get off the ship and explore the ports, which is a huge benefit of working in the evenings. Some of my favourite places I’ve gotten to see are definitely Portofino and the Isle of Capri in Italy. It had to be one of the most wonderful places I’ve been in my whole life. Getting to immerse yourself in a different culture for a few hours every day makes it feel like a constant holiday, especially because I get to get back on board and do what I love most in the evenings”.

A typical day at sea starts with a late wake-up, which is understandable, given the late-night performances. After breakfast and a workout to stay stage-fit, Caolan spends his free time exploring beaches, markets, and local art in galleries in whatever city the ship is docked. In the afternoon, it’s back to the ship for a technical run-through and costume prep. With two shows a night, the evenings are intense but rewarding.

“It’s quite an intense environment, with two shows each evening. After the second show we clean up all the costumes that have been torn off in a hurry and make sure everything is ready for the next day. The costumes are incredible and we do an array of different shows, such as a jungle themed show and a pop kings and queens show. There’s no expense spared when it comes to costumes which is one of the best parts of performing on the ship. They really tie the whole show together”

While it may sound like the life we all dream of, Caolan addresses that life at sea, like everything, does have its ups and downs, and that doesn’t just involve the temperamental waves. The lack of connection to home in Ireland, especially on the days where the ship travels out at sea all day, which happens about once a week and being away from family and friends for such a prolonged period challenges Caolan the most. Back home, his younger sister Orlaith has just started in university, while his younger brother Darragh is on a soccer scholarship in the United States.

Caolan has also recently just become a new uncle to beautiful twins and he admits that missing out on these milestones can feel isolated and lonely. Luckily, his cast of 14 performers on the ship have become a kind of second family to him. Besides, Caolan’s parents Ruth and Martin Reilly of Navan also got to join him on his last contract with Marella Cruise Lines and see the magic live, while also enjoying a relaxing cruise. Who would say no to that?

Due to the performing arts industry in Ireland being quite small, Caolan’s line of work requires him to be abroad more often than not.

Caolan’s parents, grandparents, siblings and friends are all endlessly proud of him, no matter how difficult it is with being away from home for the majority of the year. Caolan admits that a career in the performing arts often requires life abroad, especially given the limited opportunities in Ireland. But he carries his roots with him wherever he goes.

Finally, Caolan gives one piece of golden advice to future performers that are emerging from small towns around Ireland, as someone who didn’t have many role models like himself growing up in Meath.

“The main thing is to work as hard as you can, because there are jobs out there for you. It is completely possible to have successful and exciting careers in the performing arts industry, no matter where you come from with the right support. And if you are a family member or friend of a budding performer, keep pushing and keep encouraging. Without the support of my family and friends, I wouldn’t be where I am today”.

From the green fields of Bohermeen to the turbulent waves of the Mediterranean, Caolan Reilly’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, talent, passion and taking a leap of faith. From small town beginnings in Meath to standing ovations on the open sea, he has proved that with hard work and dedication, dreams that once seemed out of reach can become a dazzling reality. As he continues to perform while exploring the world, Caolan carries with him the spirit of home, showing that no matter how far you sail, your roots will always keep you grounded.