Pierce Turner to perform Wexford homecoming gig with a difference

Irish Independent

a day ago

Pierce Turner, one of the most influential artists of the last 25 years who has spent his time between New York and Wexford, will stage a homecoming gig with a difference in June when he performs at 2 Commercial Quay in Wexford.
The building, which is now a popular wine bar called Cork Buzz, was where Pierce spent his teenaged years working on the ground floor Rec-Pho store as a photographer. The building also happens to be where the Turner family resided for over three decades.
On June 19, Pierce will perform excerpts from his debut book Living by the River in what promises to be an intimate experience.
Pierce's debut book of autobiographical short-stories was launched last November to much acclaim. Living by the River is a collection of 'delightful stories' about a young man's coming of age in Wexford town and follows on from Pierce's weekly column 'My World' which ran in the Wexford People for a number of years.
'As I began writing these stories, I came to the realisation that growing up on the Wexford Quay – the house where the Cork-Buzz Wine Bar is now – had an impact on everything I wrote, hence the title, Living by the River,' Pierce said.
Pierce's former musical partner Larry Kirwan offered this appraisal of the book: 'The best way to read Living by the River is to imagine you're at a party in the sitting room of Pierce's house overlooking The Quay, back when his mother and father – Molly and Jem – were alive, and everyone had to do a turn, be it singing, reciting or telling a story,' Larry said. 'You'll hear about boarders reluctant to pay their way, Sputnik the warrior dog and his untimely passing, the glory days of Rec-Pho and White's Barn, Sammy Sinnott's magic cure for the Rolling Stones, and all the other tales that weave a picture of a magical time when we were young, bulling to get out in the world and leave our mark upon it.
"That's what you'll experience in this lovely book, a special sliver of the universe, gone but not forgotten that you too can be a part of for some glorious golden hours.'
The June 19 performance in Wexford is the first of two events on Irish soil for Pierce. On June 25, Pierce will stage the Dublin launch of Living by the River, when he will read extracts from his book at the Irish Writers Centre, 19 Parnell Square, at 6.30pm (admission free).
Pierce Turner, Living by the River, live at Cork Buzz, Thursday June 12 at 7.30pm. Doors at 6.30pm. Tickets through Eventbrite.