The Crossword Centre Clue-Writing Competition

CCCWC May competition voters’ comments
 
Clue no. 37: Is divided about dire article 5O ?

Back to competition result  |   All the comments  |   Other competitions

A clue to IRELAND.
4 comments refer to this clue (from 2 competitors, 1 other)
Move your mouse pointer over any bold clue number to see the clue.

Here is the text

Comments on the clue
1.Is is a valid abbreviation for Island?’
2.This one had great potential – needed a aharper definition eg reference to the border issue.
3.Clever, though 'Is' to mean island requires a full stop according to Chambers. Without the full stop it just means 'Is' or the
plural of I.
 
Comments on the competition
1.
I thought that it was a fairly poor batch of clues. Very few showed any degree of ingenuity or wit. Defining the composer rather than the country was promising, though most sounded a bit contrived. I discounted any clue that clued LAND as a discrete element. Such an obvious and dull breakdown of a word into syllabic or semantic components rarely holds interest.
I placed 17,37, 44 and 58at the top of my list because they demonstrated some originality and the surface readings were natural and coherent.