Crossword Genius

Irish facilities when passing through border a thing of the past? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

heirloom

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'a thing of the past?' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'irish facilities when passing through border' is the wordplay.
'irish' becomes 'IR' (abbreviation).
'facilities' becomes 'loo' (euphemistic term for a toilet).
'when passing through' indicates putting letters inside.
'border' becomes 'hem' (I've seen this before).
'ir'+'loo'='irloo'
'irloo' inserted inside 'hem' is 'HEIRLOOM'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for heirloom that I've seen before include "Family artefact" , "Valuable family piece" , "Treasure handed down in family" , "Valued possession that's handed down" , "Valuable family object" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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