Crossword Genius

Spanish gentleman out West in Northern Ireland (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

down

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'northern ireland' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't see how one could define the other.

'spanish gentleman out west' is the wordplay.
'spanish gentleman' becomes 'don' (formal term of address for a man in Spanish).
'out' indicates putting letters inside.
'west' becomes 'W' (abbreviation).
'don' going around 'w' is 'DOWN'.

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for down that I've seen before include "Sad; feathers" , "drink at speed" , "See 18" , "Out of sorts" , "Where this clue is going" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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