| FINNEGANSWAKE | MacCool, say, to respond shortly, clutching a king's Irish book |
| FLOORED | E.g. 5D shortly clutching big white telephone, befuddled |
| FINN | - MacCool; legendary Irish warrior said to have thrown a clod that became the Isle of Man and created the Giant's Causeway as steps to Scotland (4) |
| SALLY | Christian name of 2018 Irish Book Awards winner for her book "Normal People" (5) |
| OBTAINED | Picked up nothing from Irish book consumed by plot (8) |
| IRREVERENT | Disrespectful night-rider in Irish book |
| IRRITANT | Woman educated in Irish books causes trouble |
| FENIAN | Ancient fighter under Finn MacCool |
| CORONA | A monster returned clutching a ring, a shining circle |
| LIBRA | Sign of a confused liar clutching a bottle opener (5) |
| DEAFAID | Return perished, clutching a fag, having lost gravity and needing help to hear (4,3) |
| BEAD | Debutante shortly retires, clutching a piece of jewellery |
| DAPPER | Doctor clutching a page with exercises to get trim (6) |
| MAVIS | Maiden is clutching a very small bird (5) |
| NURSEMAID | Climbing ladder half clutching a daughter, one's protective (9) |
| HAMPSTEADHEATH | Politician coming in has prime minister clutching a tract in the capital (9,5) |
| MEERSCHAUM | Note the Queen's friend clutching a pipe (10) |
| MISSAL | Young female learner driver clutching a service manual |
| BEANBAG | Fellow clutching a speaker's gift turned over large cushion |
| MAUL | Obstinate beast with no tail, clutching a paw |
