we’ve got a holiday cottage booked in Donegal for the first week of July; we want to extend that by 2-3 nights in Dublin town, preferably near but not too near the centre, and ideally with parking although I appreciate that might be a long shot.

Taking our own car, Cairnryan – Larne, drive across NI to Donegal, then drive down to Dublin, short break, then drive back to Larne for the return ferry. Or maybe come back Dublin /Dun Laoghaire – Holyhead/Liverpool. not decided yet, 2 hour crossing up top, but long drive to Stranraer, or long crossing & shorter drive.

So no pitiful 15kg airline baggage allowance or hire car costs to worry about

nobody?

Not cheap but nice, 5-10mins out of town really nice surroundings:
http://www.radissonblu.ie/sthelenshotel-dublin

Cheaper but not bad, similar distance but beside the m’way (also beside luas stop for easy city access):
http://m.moranhotels.com/redcowmoranhotel

Cheap, other side of the m’way from the red cow:
http://www.ibis.com/gb/hotel-0595-ibis-dublin/index.shtml

cheers 🙂

Red cow is a bit grim for a holiday IMO. The main feature of this area is an infamous roundabout 🙂 Should be cheap tho.

The bewleys in ballsbridge is worth a look. Its nice area and close enough to town. The DART is close by too.
http://www.bewleyshotels.com/ballsbridge/location