The Irish Independent Cryptic Crossword Answers Updated for 15th April 2024
by Shoba
Updated Apr 15, 2024
Solving The Irish Independent Cryptic crossword can be hard for many people. As a cryptic crossword, the clues involve puzzles within themselves. Each clue typically uses wordplay, hidden meanings, or homophones. If you encounter any difficulties in tackling them, this page will guide you to crack each challenging clue.
Destroy Magna Carta, no thanks to drink (8)
Answer: ARMAGNAC
Destroy suggests an anagram, and Magna Carta gives us the letters to rearrange. Removing no thanks to drink leaves us with the letters to form the answer, which is a type of alcoholic drink, ARMAGNAC.
A goddess is appearing for the second time (4)
Answer: ISIS
Goddess refers to the Egyptian goddess Isis. Appearing for the second time indicates the repetition of the letter i in the name, giving us the answer ISIS.
Build up and send off for an English town (4)
Answer: WALL
Build up suggests construction, and send off for an English town implies sending letters for correspondence. Combining these ideas gives us the answer, WALL, which can be a part of the name of an English town and is also something constructed.
A TV ace it seems, is put into operation (8)
Answer: ACTIVATE
A TV ace it seems implies that we need to rearrange the letters of TV ace to get part of the answer. Put into operation indicates that we need to take action with these letters, giving us ACTIVATE.
Calls for some jewellery (5)
Answer: RINGS
Calls here refers to phone calls or summons. Some jewellery suggests a type of jewelry, which is RINGS, meeting the clue's requirement.
Red number obtainable back in the market (7)
Answer: MARXIST
Red often symbolizes communism or socialism. Number obtainable back suggests reversing the word RAM, which is a number, and in the market refers to the Marxist ideology, giving us the answer MARXIST.
One in an unfit state of mind (13)
Answer: HYPOCHONDRIAC
One in an unfit state of mind refers to a person who excessively worries about their health. Unfit state of mind hints at the condition of hypochondria. Combining these ideas gives us the answer HYPOCHONDRIAC.
Get a raw recruit initially involved in major conflict (5,3)
Answer: GREATWAR
Major conflict alludes to the significant historical event known as the Great War. Combining these initial letters with Great War yields the answer GREATWAR, referencing World War I.
Number of people attending the opening? (4)
Answer: GATE
Number of people attending the opening? leads us to think of an event where attendees are counted. GATE fits perfectly, as it indicates both the entry point and the number of individuals present.
He got out a lot to entertain (7)
Answer: HOUDINI
He got out a lot to entertain suggests someone who was skilled at escaping and performing. HOUDINI is the answer, referencing the famous magician and escape artist Harry Houdini, known for his thrilling acts.
Lament, for example, in the city (5)
Answer: ELEGY
Lament, for example, in the city hints at a sorrowful expression found within urban settings. ELEGY matches this, as it denotes a mournful poem or song, often composed as a tribute within a city's confines.
Come down heavy on the players, we hear (4)
Answer: TEEM
Come down heavy on the players, we hear implies a word that sounds like team but means to pour down heavily. TEEM is the answer, meaning to be full of or to pour down in abundance, akin to rain on a sports field.
Train Len to work inside (8)
Answer: INTERNAL
Train Len to work inside suggests teaching someone named Len to function within an internal setting. INTERNAL fits the bill, referring to something situated or taking place within an entity or structure.
In Montreal, it yields authenticity (7)
Answer: REALITY
In Montreal, it yields authenticity indicates something in Montreal that represents truth or genuineness. REALITY suits this, suggesting the genuine existence or occurrence of something within the city.
Lively supporter in oral composition (7)
Answer: ALLEGRO
Lively supporter in oral composition implies a person or element that enhances oral performance with liveliness. ALLEGRO is the answer, referring to a musical term indicating a lively and brisk tempo, often found in oral compositions like songs or speeches.
Help in finding digs, perhaps (13)
Answer: ACCOMMODATION
Help in finding digs, perhaps hints at assistance in locating accommodations or lodgings. ACCOMMODATION is the answer, signifying the provision of housing or living arrangements, which is often sought after when searching for digs.
Law is revised about greeting people in Africa (7)
Answer: SWAHILI
The law pertaining to greetings in Africa has undergone revision, emphasizing the cultural significance of the Swahili language as a primary means of communication and exchange among diverse communities across the continent.
He has doubts about being poisoned when swallowing concoction first (7)
Answer: SCEPTIC
This clue seems to describe someone who is skeptical or doubtful, particularly about ingesting something potentially harmful. The phrase swallowing concoction first implies suspicion or hesitation. The answer is SCEPTIC, referring to someone who doubts or questions things.
Hunter returning from Maryland or Minnesota (6)
Answer: NIMROD
Whether returning from Maryland or Minnesota, a hunter is often associated with the biblical figure Nimrod, known for his prowess in hunting, symbolizing the archetype of a skilled and experienced tracker.
Head wear for the arrogant? (4,3)
Answer: HIGHHAT
The notion of wearing a high hat serves as a metaphorical representation of arrogance, suggesting that those who display an air of superiority often adorn themselves with ostentatious headwear to further emphasize their elevated status.
Peru led the revolution with a bit of music (7)
Answer: PRELUDE
Peru led suggests taking the first letters of the words. Revolution often indicates a change or turning point, and music hints at a musical term. The answer is PRELUDE, a musical composition serving as an introduction, often signaling the beginning of something significant.
A hundred and one endless tricks derived from lemons (6)
Answer: CITRIC
A hundred and one suggests a specific number, and endless tricks derived from lemons hints at a word related to lemons but without its last letter. The answer is CITRIC, relating to citrus fruits like lemons.
Serviceman ordering the usual? (7)
Answer: REGULAR
Serviceman ordering implies a regular request or habit, often associated with a particular routine. The term the usual suggests familiarity or routine. The answer is REGULAR, which can refer to a standard or habitual order, often seen in places like coffee shops or restaurants.
Capsize a tug in a West Indian island (7)
Answer: ANTIGUA
In the waters surrounding a West Indian island like Antigua, the possibility of a tugboat capsizing serves as a reminder of the inherent risks associated with maritime activities, prompting caution and vigilance among sailors and seafarers navigating those treacherous waters.
