Northern Ireland award for legendary mother (5)
I believe the answer is:
niobe
'legendary mother' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
'northern ireland award' is the wordplay.
'northern ireland' becomes 'NI' (abbreviation).
'award' becomes 'OBE' (Order of the British Empire).
'ni'+'obe'='NIOBE'
'for' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for niobe that I've seen before include "proud mum" , "figure of myth" , "woman of sorrows" , "Greek woman cast in stone" , "Tantalus's daughter" .)