Irish phrase

Posted by Graham Cambray February 23, 2009 at 11:52In reply to Irish phrase posted by David on February 23, 2009 at 10:12:

There is a phrase, I believe, that has to do with a river or county in Ireland. It was a boundary that separated the English. I think the phrase expresses the idea of the approach to or dangerous crossing of a boundary.

Does this ring a bell with anyone? What is the phrase, and its origin?

I would guess the phrase is "beyond the pale", in which case Gary Martin has made a formal entry at www.phrases.org.uk meanings 64100.html (or just search on this site). (GC)