Time Passes

Time Passes is considered to be one of the finest stories about emigration. It is told by those who stayed at home and opens Eddie Stack’s first collection, ‘The West: Stories from Ireland.’ 

Time Passes has been published worldwide in journals and magazines. The Observer newspaper  said of the story: “Rarely has the plight of the returned emigrant been captured with such economy and force.”

Time Passes was first broadcast on KPFA, Berkeley, California in January 1986. It was read by the author, who had recently arrived from Ireland. Later that month it was first published in The Irishman newspaper, San Francisco.


This edition of Time Passes includes a spoken word version of the story read by Eddie Stack, Irish music by Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill, art by Phillip Morrison. All inspired by County Clare, Ireland where this story is set.