Love Northern Ireland lake (3)

I believe the answer is:

nil

'love' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'northern ireland lake' is the wordplay.
'northern ireland' becomes 'ni'.
'lake' becomes 'l'.
'ni'+'l'='NIL'

(Other definitions for nil that I've seen before include "0" , "There's nothing left" , "Nothing, zero" , "duck" , "Don't despair - . . . desperandum" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app