Let me loose in the original Love Island – Cyprus!

THE Jesuits taught me many things... mainly Catechism, but also the importance of education, sport and the Classics. You never know when you may need to conjugate the ancient Greek verb ‘luo’.

There wasn’t cause to loose, or release, anybody at the Cyprus night in Dublin this week but I might be able to work it into conversation if I get out to the Mediterranean island next year.

Cyprus has long been a favourite for Irish holidaymakers and it has just been made even easier following Cobalt Air’s announcement this week of year-round flights, on Wednesdays and Saturdays direct from Dublin to Larnaca.

Cyprus can conjure up images of teens living it large in Ayia Napa after the Leaving Cert. Yes, it can be that, but it’s much more.

Cyprus has been around for 10,000 years so there’s a wealth of culture and antiquities. And it was the original Love Island, the home of Aphrodite, so is an ideal spot for honeymooners.

Your diarist chose Corfu for his honeymoon and was reminded this week that the same hoteliers cover Greece and Cyprus and I was urged to explore the delights of Aprhodite’s island... perhaps even with my very own goddess.

So armed with a couple of new words and determined to dig out my old Greek primer, all’s left to do is say a big efcharisto, or thanks, to the Cyprus and Cobalt delegation.

And here’s to clinking glasses of Koumantaria, the oldest wine in the world, and share a Yamas, or cheers, in sunny Cypus.

Cobalt Air ticketing is handled by APG Ireland.