Man rises above it! (5,3)

I believe the answer is:

irish sea

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'it' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for irish sea that I've seen before include "Local arm of Atlantic" , "It separates us from Britain" , "Large quantity of water" , "Waters around IOM" , "wet patch" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.

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