Congratulate Irishman about article that's attracting support (3,2,3,4)
I believe the answer is:
pat on the back
'congratulate' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'irishman about article that's attracting support' is the wordplay.
'irishman about' becomes 'paton' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'article' becomes 'the' (the definite article in English).
'that's attracting' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'support' becomes 'back' (to back is to support or endorse).
'paton'+'the'+'back'='PAT ON THE BACK'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for pat on the back that I've seen before include "Quiet congratulation" , "Show of praise" , "Slight encouragement" , "Plaudit" , "received when choking?" .)