A "Simpsons" fan stands dressed as the character Homer Simpson in Springfield, Vermont in this July 21, 2007 file photo. U.S. animated comedy "The Simpsons" heads to Ireland on Tuesday for a St Patrick's Day special. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson/Files

DUBLIN (Reuters Life!) - U.S. animated comedy “The Simpsons” heads to Ireland on Tuesday for a St Patrick’s Day special that sees family patriarch Homer buy a pub and daughter Lisa discover the secret recipe for Guinness: bog water and chocolate syrup.

The episode called “In the Name of the Grandfather”, is the first to be premiered outside the United States and has been described as a “love letter to Ireland” by executive producer James L Brooks.

Homer wants to fulfil his father’s wish for one last pint in Tom O’Flanagan’s bar but when they arrive, the taps of stout and cabbage no longer flow and the pub is empty because the Irish are too busy working in high-tech companies such as Cisc O’Systems and Mick-Rosoft.

The episode was written last year, before the Irish economy rapidly unravelled in the face of an imploding local property market and the global recession.

Unemployment in Ireland, once hailed as “The Celtic Tiger” economy, is currently running at 10.4 percent and some people are heading overseas, like generations before them, for work.

Despite this year’s gloom, Ireland is expected to celebrate its national day with the usual fanfare and fun on Tuesday.

Around 70 parades will be held around the country with the main festivities in Dublin expected to attract around half a million spectators.

In Washington, Prime Minister Brian Cowen will hold talks with U.S. President Barack Obama and present him with a bowl of shamrock in a traditional ceremony.

Irish poetry will be read and traditional music performed at a special evening reception in the White House.