The moment I meet Conor J Ryan I can see the passion buzzing behind his eyes. As we start chatting I can instantly tell that this Limerick man was born to be a performer. Whether singing or acting, his home is the stage, and he will never leave it.
Growing up in a family where arts is hugely encouraged, Conor had a yearning for the stage at a really early age. His father, Ritchie Ryan is well known in Limerick for supporting local talent, and is the director of Centre Stage, which provides courses in acting and the performing arts. Conor began his musical life, when he started Spotlight Stage School at the age of four, and from then onwards it was clear that he had a special talent.
Now, the lead singer of the Limerick band Better Than You , a signed actor and a new solo artist, Conor is really starting to make his mark on the showbiz industry in Ireland. At the age of 15 Conor earned his first role on the big screen, in the Irish made move 'Garage', he starred alongside comedian Pat Shortt and says the experience was life changing: "When I found out I got the role, I was by myself in my house and I got the call, I'll be honest with you, I ran around the house screaming at the top of my voice, I was so delighted". He admits that it took awhile before the Hollywood experience hit him, Conor had assistants coming up to him wanting to run errands for him, but he found his new found stardom overwhelming. Once he walked off the set he knew being an actor was his calling in life: "I knew this is what I am meant to be doing".
But like many other struggling actors in Ireland, the recession has hit Conor hard, and auditions are becoming more and more infrequent. Something that Conor completely understands is that the life he is chosen, is far from a glamorous one, during his time filming Garage, he was on 12 hour shifts, and while he waits for his next big role he is struggling, but he tells me that he has an extremely positive attitude and he's not going to give up: "Sixth year of Secondary School hit me really badly. All of my positive thinking went completely out the window. I went downhill for a while. But over the summer I picked myself up again. Now all I truly believe is that everything happens for a reason, and everything that you want that doesn't happen will have a positive after effect and something better will come along. Especially when it comes to auditions, it's hard for actors, because more often than not it's a 'no'. But I try and think that if I don't get this one, there has to be a reason."
It's inspiring to see a such a young artist dedicated to his talents. Instead of following the conventional route to University, Conor decided to take a gap year, focus on his aspiring career and take some serious time to figure out what he truly wants in life. A huge part of Conor's life, is his long-time band Better Than You the band is well known around Limerick, and it's clear his band mates have become friends for life, who also share his passions.
But recently Mr Ryan has strayed away from the much followed band and started branching into a solo career. Conor's taken a whole new direction and has been performing a Jazz set in Limerick's much loved Dolans. There's already a huge fan base for Conor, and his recent gig last Sunday, attracted a lot of people: " The gig was excellent. It went really well. It was packed I was absolutely delighted". His new found solo career started out when I Love Limerick filmed the talented star singing a cover of Michael Jackson's Billie Jean and straight away the public knew there was something special about this guy. Check out the video right here:
Thankfully Conor has had huge support, not only from his family but from his peers in the showbiz industry. While filming Garage he says that Pat Shortt really helped him out: "He is possibly the nicest guy I have ever met. As soon as I got to the set he took me under his wing. As famous as he is in Ireland he is so down to Earth. He really took care of me while I was there. I was so young and brand new to the industry but he helped from simple things like going over my lines to giving me amazing work experience. In fourth year he took me to work at his theatre company, for two weeks I was running errands for the cast and crew but also got to go on the set of Killnasckully and got so much experience, even on the other side of the camera".
( (Conor with his parents)
Conor's also following in the footsteps of his father Ritchie and has started using his talents for teaching children. In Centre Stage School Limerick he teaches singing and drama from Thursday 5.30 - 6.30 for five year olds to nine year olds, then on Saturday's he hosts three groups for 6-7 year olds, 7-9 year olds and 9-12 year olds. While lending his talents to teaching Conor has alread written a full show called Disney Dazzle and it's clear that teaching children is something that's realy close to his heart: "I really look forward to it every week. It's incredible, my groups are amazing, they really want to learn."
Conor has already recieved a lot of recognition and success as he was nominated for an IFTA award for Best Supporting Actor for his work in Garage in 2007. And his band Better Than You! made it to the National Finals of the CocaCola BlastBeat Competition and won the runner-up prize. But there is a whole lot more that Conor is ready to show us.
Conor admits that he's thought about attending University before, putting sociology and psychology down on his CAO form last year. But he says that he's not really an academic, he has huge interests in the power of the mind and would enjoy studying psychology, but the calling of music, acting, all-round performing, is far too strong for him to ignore. The smile on his face and sparkle in his eye show how proud he is of his success, and how much more he wants to accomplish. When I ask him where he see's himself in five years he says: "I want to have been in a mainstream film. I really want to go further with my acting". It seems that won't be a problem as he shares his agent with actors such as Brendan Gleeson, and Gabrielle Byrne.
Conor tells me he has a few idols. In music, Jeff Buckley is his ultimate inspiration, he admits he loves his unique style and admires the deceased man. In acting Cillian Murphy has illuminated the path that Conor wants to follow. He, like most other Irish actors, started out in small time Irish television programmes and has now acted in some serious Hollywood flicks, such as the Batman movie: The Dark Knight.
Just before we finish our interview a waitress comes up to our table and tells Conor she saw him perform at the Great Limerick Cycle in Limerick city and wanted him to know that she thought he was an amazing performer, he informs her he's starting regular gigs in Dolans and she smiles and says: "I will definitely be there". That may be the first time a fan has come up to Conor but you can believe it won't be the last.
His fan-base is growing day by day, as is his overwhelming talent. From a four year old with something special to a full blown star, this Limerick man will soon become a new ambassador for Ireland, the new star, the new fresh talent. All I can say is, Colin Farell.... watch out!
You want to catch Conor live? Check him out in Dolans this Sunday the 7th of November, and again on the 21st of September. Dolans provide an intimate gig and I can guarantee you will leave a fan if you are not one already.
Did you miss out on my last two Star's Of The Month??
Check out my October Star Of The Month Leanne Moore HERE
and my September Star Of The Month, Miss United Nations Ireland 2010 Samantha Long HERE
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