I don't know how I missed this thread. Sorry my reply is late!

I used to live in Dublin! There's plenty to see and do there, I really hope you love it!

How long do you plan on being there? What's your hotel "budget"? I think I can probably help you pick out a decent one.

Here's a really nice hotel, very decently priced and clean:

Jury's Inn - Christchurch (that's the name of this hotel location, because it's across the road from an old cathedral named "Christchurch".)

the website is here: http://dublinhotels.jurysinns.com/jurysinn_christchurch

My roommate's family came to visit for Christmas and stayed there, and they loved it. I visited them there, and it was nice. It's also pretty central, so you can get out and walk to many of the city's sights, shopping, and the Temple Bar district where many of the pubs and entertainment are to be found.

I went to Google street view and got some screen shots to show you...

Here's the hotel (red brick building on the right):



Here's the old Christchurch across the road:



and here's a map to show you where in Dublin the hotel is (I put a red STAR right at the intersection where the hotel is):



One of the "rules of thumb" when staying in Ireland - SOUTH of the river is considered to be more upscale than north of the river. Doesn't matter which Irish city you're in either, it seems to be that the southern 1/2 of the city has people of middle and higher class, and therefore less crime for locals and tourists alike.

So, venture north of the river for daytime activities, but whatever hotel you go for, staying south of the river may be your better bet.

Wow Dayna, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!! That is a nice looking hotel. However, DH is a massive cheapskate of the highest order and wants to stay at a freaking hostel. Or at a place that is 100USD a night or less.... Um, right. Ever heard of http://www.fleethoteltemplebar.com/?? It's like 75USD a night and DH is all about it.

Thanks Utah! We will definitely try to make it out to the lake!

I haven't heard of it, possibly because it may not have been a hotel when I lived there. Some reviews say it was renovated in the spring of 2011... so it might have just been a run down place when I attended college a few years back. LOL. I went and found a tonne of good reviews on trip advisor for that hotel. Trip Advisor Reviews

It's still SOUTH of the river, and it's very central to many places to visit, so I'd say go for it! Your DH may have just found a hidden gem there.

ETA - I just clicked on page 2 of reviews for the Fleet street hotel - looks like they are more mixed than I thought. If you're travelling there in the colder months, you may not have as much street noise from the Temple Bar district partiers as some of the summer patrons had... but be sure to pack some warm sweaters. Some of the complaints are that it can be drafty and cold... and after a day out in cool weather, you'll want to feel like you can warm up when you return to the hotel. (Those reviews may have been before the renovations were completed however.)