It can be no great surprise for anyone who knows the Irish, so often heralded for their savvy in spotting an investment opportunity, that they have sought out and found a genuine property prospect, worth its weight in gold, Euro and Cypriot pound. Eveline Kennedy is certainly a perceptive woman, buying as she has, a villa on the south-west coast of Cyprus.

This island of 780,000 inhabitants, whose history dates back 10,000 years and where the sun shines for more than 300 days of the year, is in fact a natural place for the Irish to be attracted.

Whilst of course there are marked differences in the weather, with up to four times as much rainfall in Ireland p.a, than Cyprus, there are more similarities between these two islands than might first seem evident.

Yes, they speak the same language, there is a history in both countries of growing potatoes, they are both members of the EU and yes, life expectancy is about the same in both countries (source: CIA World Factbook) but the affinity goes much deeper, to the very core of the people, who are both bona fide survivors.

Whether it’s festivals, religious ceremonies or simply for the craic, Cypriots are just as likely to celebrate the joire de vivre as the Irish. After all, this is the land where more than 2,000 years ago Dionysus with his follower ‘Vakchi’, taught the Cypriot King to produce wine, as evidenced by the ancient mosaic floor at the King’s villa in Pafos. Hospitality is as natural to the Cypriots as it is to the Irish – a similar sentiment expressed in the Wine Institute report, which states that the per capita consumption of wine in both countries is on a par!

In a similar vein, there is a correlation between the islands from a business perspective. Along the lines of Ireland’s upsurge, the Cyprus government has been investing heavily to turn the island into a hi-tech hub. This vision has been made into a reality by way of its citizens being amongst the best educated in the world, ranking in the top 10 internationally for university graduates per capita.

Not just this, but as the orthocentre of three continents – Africa, Asia and Europe - Cyprus is attracting a growing number of international companies to its shores, keen to set up operations, invest and either buy or rent property. For Irish businesses, it certainly doesn’t hurt that the two countries have comparable corporate tax rates.

With such obvious parallels, it cannot be too much of a revelation that the Irish have been snapping up ‘off plan’ properties throughout the South of Aphrodite’s home.

From the exclusive and all encompassing Aphrodite Hills development near Pafos to the more sedate villas at Greco Mare, Protaras on the far eastern coast of this Mediterranean idyll, sales, be they for investment or holiday homes have and continue to be strong in the South.

Those who’ve purchased early are sitting pretty, watching their investments rise in value, a situation that barring an ‘act of God’ has no legitimate reason for abating. Future returns are as strong today as they have demonstrated over the last 5-10 years (from 15-20% p.a on sales and 6-9% gross rental yields) with the 2004 ascension to EU membership, infrastructure investment & now a new directive in tourist funds set to spiral Cyprus into a target market with higher funds.

Asked whether investors have missed the proverbial ‘boat’, Yiannis Kalyvites, Marketing Manager of Cybarco Ltd, Cyprus’ leading property developer had this to say, ‘At least 4 new international marinas and 10 world class golf courses are scheduled for development, a situation that can only bode well for the property speculator and holiday home buyer. Property prices are set to rise and with 6 million golfers in Europe, who have to travel far and a field to play in the winter months, Cyprus can offer an alleviation to their heart-ache.’

So Eveline Kennedy, who lives in Ireland and has invested in a villa at Hestiades Greens, within the prestious Cybarco Aphrodite Hills development, is most definitely a happy woman.

Eveline looked at numerous golf properties before deciding that Cyprus was the place for her. A particular deal in Ireland fell through as it was dependent on having two memberships to the course. A further European development looked exciting until 9 months down the line, no activity seemed to have taken place.

On a trip to Cyprus with her daughter, with no view to buying anything, Eveline was shown the show villa at Hestiades Greens. As soon as she opened the door, she fell in love: ‘It was absolutely lovely, with a view overlooking the course and a private swimming pool. The more I looked at the whole package the more perfect it felt and it’s just 15 minutes from the airport. It felt like home as soon as I walked in through the door.’

It is reassuring for anyone buying overseas that working directly with the developer can make the buying process uncomplicated. Asked about her dealing with Cybarco, Eveline said, ‘You feel like part of the family by the way they treat you - it’s as if they put their arm around you. And they delivered a true ‘turn key’ property, which I will look to rent out during the summer months. ‘

With such an hospitable attitude to foreign purchasers, it is no wonder that Mr Kalyvites is confident that Cyprus will continue to attract the Irish.