New Irish in vessel heading for uninhabited islands in the Pacific (7)

I believe the answer is:

vanuatu

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'islands in the pacific' is the definition.
'Vanuatu' can be an answer for 'islands' (island nation). I'm unsure of the 'in the pacific' bit.

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for vanuatu that I've seen before include "South Pacific Ocean nation of 80 islands" , "Archipelago, formerly known as New Hebrides" , "Country of the south-west Pacific" , "Southwest Pacific island hit by Cyclone Pam in March" , "Pacific island country, formerly New Hebrides" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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