Crossword Genius

Stones left to tour Italy, Spain and Ireland (7,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

emerald isle

'ireland' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'stones left to tour italy spain' is the wordplay.
'stones' becomes 'emeralds' (I've seen this before).
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'to tour' indicates putting letters inside (to tour can mean to go around).
'italy' becomes 'i'.
'spain' becomes 'e' (abbreviation for Espana).
'emeralds'+'l'='emeraldsl'
'emeraldsl' going around 'i' is 'emeraldisl'.
'emeraldisl'+'e'='EMERALD ISLE'

'and' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for emerald isle that I've seen before include "Name for Ireland" , "jewel of a place" , "where one might get whiskey" , "divided country" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app