DUBLIN (AFP) — Ireland’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations have increasingly become a global excuse for a party but this year a virtual parade ensures that the “paddywhackery” really will be worldwide.
In the real world, Saint Patrick’s Day parades are now held throughout not only Ireland but also countries with big emigrant communities like the United States and Britain.
The wearing of the green, the downing of celebratory pints of Guinness and enjoying the “craic” (fun) has also spread to cities as far apart as Moscow and Tokyo and Beijing is joining the party this year with its first parade.
But for those still missing out on the real thing, state promotion body Tourism Ireland is hosting the world’s first virtual Saint Patrick’s Day parade in the Internet-based, virtual world of Second Life.
Dublin is already a popular destination on Second Life which is an online two-dimensional simulation game. Launched in 2003 it now has millions of “residents”.
The virtual parade will include 20 Irish- and Celtic-themed floats. The objective is to encourage those who visit this virtual world to turn up on the real Emerald Isle during 2008.
It is part of a 37-million-euro (58-million-dollars) six-month campaign promotion aimed at attracting nine million tourists this year.

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