Across:
8 Small (S-) type of bridge (-T-OLL bridge) over river (-R-) (STROLL) is perfect for those going a short distance (STROLL),
9 English (E-) vote (-X-) is writ large (-PLAIN-) for society (-S) (EXPLAINS) and this makes it clear (EXPLAINS),
10 Mischief-maker (BRAT) to ease off the base rate (‘ease’ off the ‘base rate’ = brat = BRAT),
11 Investigated (CHECKED OUT) how the travellers left the hotel (CHECKED OUT),
12 Upsets (= reversal indicator) bar (rod = DOR-) crowd (-SET) (DORSET) in England (DORSET),
14 Alludes to (MENTIONS) Monets in (Monets in = MENTIONS) complex (= anagram indicator),
15 For putting one’s house in order (GENERAL ELECTION putting The HOUSE / Dáil in order) some will lose power with this (GENERAL ELECTION),
18 Criticise (-SLAM-) in Gulf (GA-P-) starting surveillance (starting ‘surveillance’ = -S) (GAS-LAMPS) for old luminaries (GAS-LAMPS),
20 A Green (a green = ENRAGE) convert (= anagram indicator) might make someone’s blood boil (ENRAGE),
22 Detectives (DIs = DIS-) working in hospital with 6 down (“ward sister” working with ORDERLY) (DISORDERLY) – that must be chaotic (DISORDERLY),
24 Those around the borders to come home (those around the borders ‘to come home’ = TOME), by the book (TOME),
25 Gatherings (REUNIONS) of neurons (neurons = REUN-ONS) travelling (= anagram indicator) around centre of spine (centre of ‘spine’ = -I-) (REUNIONS),
26 Madeleine’s dropping aims (“Madeleines” dropping “aims” = delene = NEEDLE) that will annoy someone (NEEDLE).
Down:
1 Initial stake (initial ‘stake’ = S-) damages (= anagram indicator) tree (tree = -TERE-) ring (-O) (STEREO) – if you bought one, would you think it was a sound investment? (STEREO),
2 Disorientated (LOST) going in and out of love nest (going in and out of ‘love nest’ = LOST),
3 Bad start (‘bad’ start = B-) to be without (-LACK) most of the players? (most of the ‘team’ = TEA) (BLACK TEA) Swallow it without milking it! (BLACK TEA),
4 Charity event raising funds (FETE) for part of wildlife teleconference (part of ‘wildlife teleconference’ = FETE),
5 It’s said (SPOKEN) part of the cycle (wheel SPOKE-) is new (-N) (SPOKEN),
6 War (WAR-) Department (-D) has a habit (SISTER/nun has a habit) (WARD SISTER) of running part of the hospital (WARD SISTER),
7 The subtle insinuation (INNUENDO) from union (union = INNU-O) movement (= anagram indicator) accommodating wind-up (-END-) (INNUENDO),
13 Fascinated (SPELLBOUND) for a brief period (SPELL-) approaching spring (-BOUND) (SPELLBOUND),
14 There’s no air in Emirates (there’s no ‘air’ in ‘Emirates’ = emtes = MEETS) for track events (MEETS),
16 Judge (EXAMINER) to review (EXAMINE-) last order (last ‘order’ = -R) (EXAMINER),
17 Fresh (= anagram indicator) veneer (Veneer = EVER-NE) covering yard (-Y-) means nothing (-O-) (EVERYONE) to the people in general (EVERYONE),
19 Night light (MO- -ON) eats current (direct current = -D C-) (MOD CON) – it’s supposed to be a fashionable device (MOD CON),
21 Sportingly (GAMELY) reviews (= reversal indicator) periodical (mag = GAM-) at place in Dublin (-ELY Place) (GAMELY),
23 Dart (RUSH) in Dublin (RUSH),
24 Some in the theatre know (some of ‘theatre know’ = TREK) of Long Day’s Journey… (TREK).