CRYPTIC/QUICK CROSSWORD
Here’s your chance to win a Collins Concise English Dictionary. Complete the crossword using either the cryptic or the quick clues and send it to us with your name and address. Send your solution to: Cryptic/Quick Crossword No.715, The Irish Mail on Sunday, PO Box 5332, Cardiff Lane, Dublin 2. Entries must be received by Thursday. The winner will be drawn from a hat. The winner of Cryptic/Quick Crossword No.714 is Julianne Fitzgerald, Muine Bheag, Co. Carlow.
CRYPTIC CLUES
Across
8 Bad handwriting style succeeded first (6) 9 Attractive person performing before observer (8) 10 Lug Barry around – it’s a crime (8) 11 Get something with long ears to talk (6) 12 Small duck is a bargain (5) 13 Leave large fellow to his game (4) 14 Objection to the first ram (4) 16 Space behind dessert to add sugar (7) 18 Respectable fellow swimmer (7) 20 Searching around structure (4) 21 Boast to a bird (4) 22 Conditions for durations of time (5) 25 At university, retain service (6) 27 Pass William a leaflet (8) 28 A pet can’t order ham (8) 29 Head of finance managed church in the country (6)
Down
1 Clear a Catholic left (6) 2 Report boy – he’s moved country (10) 3 Cry when table gets broken (5) 4 Good heavens – a sacred animal (4,3) 5 Explained it’s like ghee (9) 6 Cat bashed head in vault (4) 7 Note the Spanish title managed to deprecate (8) 14 Spread prohibition to include European food (6,4) 15 Pirate cap ordered according to population (3,6) 17 Amusing use of language in conversation adds drama (8) 19 Impetuous person has stolen top (7) 23 Married woman shows spite (6) 24 Potassium ruined fine blade (5) 26 Every teacher has it (4)
QUICK CLUES
Across
8 Scribble (6) 9 Witness (8) 10 Housebreaking (8) 11 Small mammal (6) 12 Take unlawfully (5) 13 Sport (4) 14 Barrel (4) 16 Make more agreeable (7) 18 Refined (7) 20 Curved structure (4) 21 Black bird (4) 22 Periods of school (5) 25 Maintenance (6) 27 Advertising leaflet (8) 28 Cured belly of pork (8) 29 European country (6)
Down
1 Absolve of blame (6) 2 Asian country (10) 3 Sheep’s cry (5) 4 Expression of surprise (4,3) 5 Elucidated (9) 6 Burial chamber (4) 7 Dismiss as unimportant (8) 14 Large, flat, white seed (6,4) 15 For each person (3,6) 17 Witty punning (8) 19 Volatile person (7) 23 Vindictiveness (6) 24 Cutlery item (5) 26 Every (4)