Crossword Genius

Strong wish to brief bureau representing Ireland (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

desire

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

'strong wish' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'brief bureau representing ireland' is the wordplay.
'brief' means to remove the last letter.
'bureau' becomes 'desk' (I've seen this before).
'representing ireland' becomes 'ire' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'desk' with its last letter removed is 'des'.
'des'+'ire'='DESIRE'

'to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for desire that I've seen before include "Reside (anag.)" , "Strong wish" , "Famous play: ''A Streetcar Named ......''" , "Wish for strongly" , "Strong need" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times (Crosaire) and the Irish Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app