Indy name of love

John Mitchell goes Midwest to discover a hidden US gem - now with direct flights from Dublin

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F your sole bit of go-to knowledge about Indianapolis was that they race cars there for a very long distance in one go, then you're in good company.

I must confess that I hadn't given the place much thought until invited on the inaugural Aer Lingus direct flight from Dublin to the capital of Indiana, known to locals and visitors alike as Indy.

Also historically known as the 'Crossroads of America' thanks to its Midwest location, Indy served as a transport hub for legit and not-so-legit goods for many years - featuring prominently in slave railroad and Prohibition era tales of smuggling, firefights and car chases.

Nowadays it's a prospering Midwest city - the 16th most-populated city in the US - but its unhurried atmosphere and acres of bike trails and walking areas studded with impressive war monuments mean it's a far more relaxing prospect than even its nearby cousin Chicago.

Our journey began with an eight-hour flight from Dublin with Aer Lingus on a brand new A321 XLR (extra long range) aircraft that will be servicing this route as well as Nashville and other similarly distant US cities.

The beauty of leaving from Dublin in these trying times for those across the Atlantic is that you complete all customs and immigration formalities before you even leave Irish soil.

And despite all the recently raised fears around social media checks and interrogations, a brief interview was all it took along with a check of the ESTA (apply at least a week in advance).