Plaintive cries are heard in the principality (5)
I believe the answer is:
wales
'principality' is the definition.
(principality of the UK)
I can't explain the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for wales that I've seen before include "Part of 1" , "Home to Snowdonia and the Gower Peninsula" , "UK country" , "Principality, part of the UK" , "Home nation wearing red shirts for rugby" .)