Few daily habits feel as rewarding as cracking the last clue of a crossword. The Simplex crossword in The Irish Times has been offering that satisfaction to solvers for more than 40 years.

4 related posts

Daily puzzle age: Over 40 years ·
Frequency: Daily ·
Publisher: The Irish Times ·
Book volumes available: At least 5 ·
Typical grid size: 15×15

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

Six key facts that define the Simplex crossword experience at a glance:

Label Value
First publication Early 1980s
Frequency Every day
Grid size 15×15
Clue style Straightforward (not cryptic)
Online availability Free with registration
Print collections 5 books available

What is the Simplex crossword in the Irish Times?

History and background

The Simplex crossword debuted in The Irish Times during the early 1980s, joining the newspaper’s existing puzzle lineup. Unlike the cryptic Crosaire, which uses wordplay and misdirection, Simplex clues are designed to be direct. A clue like “Complete and utter failure” leads to a single, unambiguous answer (Crossword Answers 911 puzzle archive). The formula has proven durable: the puzzle has appeared daily for more than four decades (Dubray Books publisher catalog).

Typical grid layout and difficulty

  • Standard 15×15 symmetrical grid (The Irish Times official puzzle page)
  • Clues avoid cryptic devices — no anagrams, hidden words, or reversals (Crossword Answers 911 puzzle archive)
  • Difficulty is moderate: straightforward but not trivial, requiring broad vocabulary (Crossword Answers 911 puzzle archive)

Who creates the puzzles

The Irish Times editorial team manages the puzzle, but the specific setter or setters remain unnamed. The consistency of clue style across decades suggests a single editorial hand or a small team working within the same conventions (The Irish Times official puzzle page).

The catch

Simplex’s direct clues sound easier than they are. The real challenge is recall speed — knowing common crossword words cold. Without the crutch of cryptic wordplay, solvers rely entirely on vocabulary and pattern recognition.

The pattern: A puzzle that looks simple but rewards deep vocabulary knowledge. For casual solvers, it’s an approachable entry point. For regulars, it’s a daily test of word recall.

How to get today’s Simplex crossword solutions

Official Irish Times website

  • Puzzles are posted daily on the Irish Times crosswords page (official publisher) after around 10pm Irish time (Crossword Answers 911 puzzle archive)
  • Free to play with registration; subscribers get full archive access (The Irish Times official puzzle page)
  • Built-in reveal button shows answers when stuck (Crossword Answers 911 puzzle archive)

Third-party answer sites

Several independent sites aggregate Simplex solutions for solvers who need quick verification. Anagrammer crossword answer database maintains millions of updated Simplex solutions (Anagrammer crossword answer database). Crossword Answers 911 puzzle archive posts daily answers with clue lists (Crossword Answers 911 puzzle archive).

Mobile apps and notifications

The Irish Times offers a mobile app with crossword functionality, including a version 2.0 Beta for iPad (Crossword Answers 911 puzzle archive). Solutions sync across devices when logged into an Irish Times account.

Why this matters

Official solutions arrive after 10pm, but third-party aggregators may post hours earlier. For competitive solvers tracking completion time, that gap matters. The trade-off: official access guarantees accuracy; third-party sites sometimes carry errors.

The trade-off: Official sources guarantee accuracy but delay access. Third-party aggregate sites offer speed but carry small error risk. Cross-check against the official reveal before marking answers final.

Where can I find the Simplex crossword archive?

Irish Times digital archive

  • Subscribers can search past puzzles through the Irish Times digital archive (The Irish Times official puzzle page)
  • Non-subscribers can access the current puzzle and recent editions with registration (The Irish Times official puzzle page)

Paperback book collections

The O’Brien Press has published six Simplex crossword books that compile 60 puzzles each (Dubray Books publisher catalog). The Big Book of Simplex Crosswords, published 13th July 2009, combines the first two bestselling volumes into a single paperback priced at €9.99 (ISBN 9781847171795) (Dubray Books publisher catalog).

Third-party archive sites

Sites like Crossword Answers 911 and Anagrammer maintain searchable archives of past Simplex puzzles, though these may not include the complete back catalog. For full historical access, the Irish Times subscriber archive remains the only reliable source (The Irish Times official puzzle page).

The upshot

Paperback books give offline access to 60 puzzles each at €9.99 — cheaper than a subscription if you only want the puzzle collection. But the digital archive offers the full run for subscribers who need historical puzzles beyond what’s been published in book form.

The implication: For casual solvers, one €9.99 book provides months of solving. For dedicated fans, the digital archive is the only way to access the full 40-year portfolio.

Are Simplex crossword books worth buying?

Content and quality

Each O’Brien Press paperback contains 60 curated puzzles selected from the daily run. The Big Book edition combines 120 puzzles from the first two volumes. The puzzles replicate the newspaper format, preserving the original grid layout and clue numbering (Dubray Books publisher catalog).

Price and availability

  • Priced at €9.99 per book (Dubray Books publisher catalog)
  • Available at Irish bookstores including Dubray Books, Eason, and online retailers (Dubray Books publisher catalog)
  • Five individual volumes plus the Big Book compilation are currently in print (Dubray Books publisher catalog)

Comparison with free online puzzles

Free daily puzzles renew every 24 hours and require internet access. Books offer permanent offline access to curated puzzles at a one-time cost. For collectors and traditionalists who prefer pencil-and-paper solving, the books represent lasting value (Crossword Answers 911 puzzle archive).

Why this matters: Free online access gives you today’s puzzle once. A €9.99 book gives you 60 puzzles that never expire. For anyone who solves more than once a week, the books pay for themselves in enjoyment.

Simplex crossword vs Crosaire: what’s the difference?

Clue style and difficulty

  • Simplex: direct definitions; clues mean exactly what they say (Crossword Answers 911 puzzle archive)
  • Crosaire: cryptic clues with anagrams, homophones, charades, and hidden words
  • Simplex demands vocabulary recall; Crosaire demands lateral thinking and knowledge of cryptic conventions

Target audience

Simplex attracts solvers who want a straightforward vocabulary challenge without the code-breaking of cryptic puzzles. Crosaire appeals to solvers who enjoy the puzzle-within-a-puzzle of deciphering wordplay. The Irish Times publishes both daily, serving two distinct solving communities (The Irish Times official puzzle page).

Publishing history

Simplex debuted in the early 1980s, making it the newer of the two puzzles. Crosaire has been running for decades longer and is considered one of the most famous cryptic crosswords. Both appear side by side in the newspaper and online (The Irish Times official puzzle page).

The paradox

Simplex is described as “straightforward,” yet many solvers find it harder than Crosaire. The reason: without wordplay conventions to constrain answers, Simplex clues can point to multiple possible words. The solver must rely purely on crossing letters and vocabulary, not mechanical decryption.

The pattern: Simplex’s apparent simplicity is its hidden difficulty. Crosaire fans who try Simplex often find the direct clues more demanding than the cryptic ones because there’s no fixed solving technique — just word knowledge.

Timeline

  • 1980s: Simplex crossword first appears in The Irish Times (Dubray Books publisher catalog)
  • 2000s: Online version launched on irishtimes.com (The Irish Times official puzzle page)
  • 2010s: First book compilation published by O’Brien Press (Dubray Books publisher catalog)
  • 2023: Book 5 released, containing 60 puzzles (Dubray Books publisher catalog)

Solving strategies: how to crack the Simplex grid consistently

Pattern recognition techniques

  • Fill in 3- and 4-letter words first — they are most constrained by grid pattern (Crossword Answers 911 puzzle archive)
  • Look for plural clues (ending in S) and past-tense clues (ending in ED) as pattern anchors
  • Common crossword words like “area,” “idea,” “era,” “acre” repeat across puzzles — build a mental bank

Common clue types

  • Definition-only: “Travelling through air” = FLYING (Crossword Answers 911 puzzle archive)
  • Synonym clues: “Complete and utter failure” = FIASCO (Crossword Answers 911 puzzle archive)
  • Fill-in-the-blank: Phrases with missing words that fit the grid

Pencil-and-paper vs digital solving

Many experienced solvers prefer traditional pencil and paper for the tactile feedback and slower pace (Crossword Answers 911 puzzle archive). Digital solving offers the reveal button and auto-check features. There’s no wrong approach — choose based on whether you want the satisfaction of erasing wrong answers or the convenience of instant verification.

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

Is the Simplex crossword free to play?

Yes, the current Simplex puzzle is free to play on the Irish Times website with a free registration account. Subscribers get full archive access and ad-free solving.

Can I solve the Simplex crossword offline?

Yes, the paperback books from O’Brien Press contain 60 puzzles each and require no internet connection. The Big Book of Simplex Crosswords combines 120 puzzles from the first two volumes.

What time are new Simplex puzzles posted?

New Simplex puzzles are posted on the Irish Times website at around 10pm Irish time each evening, ahead of the next day’s newspaper publication.

Are there any Simplex crossword competitions?

The Irish Times occasionally runs solving competitions, but these typically feature Crosaire rather than Simplex. Book publishers have not run regular Simplex-specific contests.

How do I contact the Irish Times about crossword errors?

Contact the Irish Times crosswords team through the “Contact Us” section on irishtimes.com or email the puzzles editor directly. Corrections are usually noted in the following day’s edition.

Does the Simplex crossword have a mobile app?

The Irish Times offers a mobile app with crossword functionality, including a version 2.0 Beta for iPad. The app syncs solutions across devices when logged in.

Are Simplex puzzles available in other languages?

No, the Simplex crossword is published only in English by The Irish Times. There are no official translations or non-English editions.

How many Simplex crossword books have been published?

Five main volumes plus a Big Book compilation have been published by O’Brien Press. Each volume contains 60 puzzles. Book 5 was released in 2023.

The Simplex crossword has endured for more than four decades because it fills a specific niche: a straightforward daily puzzle that rewards vocabulary depth rather than cryptic decoding. For Irish solvers who want a consistent mental workout without learning wordplay conventions, the grid keeps delivering. Master the pattern bank and the common clue types, or buy the €9.99 book and get 60 puzzles at your own pace.

Related reading: