Dublin overnight..hotel?
 

Flight home from Rome includes Air Lingus leg to Dublin arriving 2 PM with departure the next morning on American Airlines at 9:40.
Recommend airport hotel or in town? Taxi or one of the bus services to town for dinner and Guinness?

What's your budget for hotel accommodation? I would get the aircoach to and from the airport - it's a great service - very quick and cheaper than a taxi (and probably less waiting time too!).

We stayed at the airport hotel in Dublin because of an early flight and would never stay there again. It was August and there was no AC. The room was down in a basement level and very noisy--very plain room and not inexpensive either.

The aircoach bus goes from the airport to the city center and beyond. Try hotels near stops on the aircoach's bus route. The Schoolhouse hotel, Landsdowne Hotel, Mespil Hotel are reasonably priced and in good locations near the city center. Click on www.aircoach.ie for route, timetables etc. Hotels above are under Ballsbridge hotels or just google for online availability. Alternatively my friend stayed overnight at the Great Southern at the airport last week and said it was great.

We had two overnights in Dublin airport during our recent travels. both times we stayed at the holiday Inn Express Dublin Airport. We were very impressed both times with the quality of the hotel, the service, quick and easy complimentary continental breakfast with many options, free shuttle from airport, 5 minutes from airport, very clean nice rooms with air conditioning, great price (I believe around 60 euros per night for two singles). Very easy and nice respit in the midst of our travels.

On the same propery next door is the "sister property" the Crown Hotel. This hotel also looked very nice - we did eat a meal there that was very good because the HI express doesn't have any restaurants.

Thanks for the suggestions. Budget for hotel in $150 USD range. I will check out the aircoach info. We plan to walk about and enjoy a few sites. Any suggestions for dinner?
For recent travelers to this airport, how early to be at airport the next morning?
Appreciate all help!

At that price I would suggest perhaps Jurys Inn in the city centre (Customs House or Christchurch would be best). Otherwise, Bewleys Hotel in Ballsbridge is very nice. It's a little out of the city but is in a lovely area and it's on the Aircoach route so handy for getting to and from the airport. It's also on the DART line if you want to go into the city (only about a 5 minute journey).

With regard to dinner, there's plenty to offer depending on your taste and budget. I had a gorgeous meal in Bang on Merrion Row last week. L'Gueuleton on Fade Street is another favourite of mine. The Winding Stair is fabulous too, and has a lot of good "Irish" food and has a lovely view over the river (ask for a seat by the window).