Amazingly, my dear wife has suggested that we have a short break in Dublin just before Easter. We’d want an hotel near the city centre, 3-star-ish (I’m no skinflint but I’m not rich either). If anyone can point me to a nice, friendly, not-too-faceless place I’d be very grateful! 
Cheers
Steve
Steve;
City Centre hotels in Dublin don’t come Jury’s inn (http://www.jurys-dublin-hotels.com/jurysinn_christchurch) across the road from Christchurch Cathedral has relatively reasonably priced accommodation for the city centre. It’s big and modern but generally friendly and very clean.
Failing that, try www.needahotel.com who are a Dublin-based website. They generally have the best prices on the web for Dublin hotels.
Hope this helps.
Ciaran
Don’t know about standard prices (group tour) but when we were in Dublin last summer we were pretty happy with the Hilton. A bit out from the center (or centre) of things (about a 10 minute walk to St. Stephen’s Green), but you can catch a tram next to the hotel.
Their website has a “UK Winter offer” of two nights with breakfast for $193, which seems pretty reasonable. You may get a better deal elsewhere, but this gives you an idea of what’s available.
Cheers Ciaran and DCrom. You’ve got me off to a good start. A couple of promising places there already. Keep 'em coming good people!
Steve
Steve;
Now that I look at the needahotel site, I’ve stayed at the Mount Herbert in Ballsbridge before and would again. It’s an older smaller style hotel about 15 minute walk from the city centre ('though this walk does have the benefit of passing by O’Donoghues bar on Merrion Row 
).
At about 90 euro/night for a double room (via needahotel), it’s probably a bit less expensive than Jury’s Inn and other city centre hotels and if memory serves, this price may include breakfast (unlike Jury’s).
Best.
Ciaran
Steve.
have you contemplated a hostel?
there are some really nice ones with private rooms etc..
have a look at http://www.hosteldublin.com/index.php
good luck.
Cheers all. Eventually we found a good price on the needahotel site that Ciaran recommended (nice one, mate!). We’ll be at the Hotel Isaacs, which is pretty central, from the 9th to the 13th of April.
Now… where around there can I find some dacent tunes, and (very long shot) where would anyone accept a completely unknown harmonica player to join in? 
Steve
Aah. you will be situated about 12 seconds from the Luas(tram)/Central bus station.
There is also a good bar in the hotel which hosts open mic nights and new and up/coming bands (the isaac butts)!
But anyway you can step out of the hotel door onto the luas and get off at either “four courts” for HUGHES (sessions most nights).
or next stop “smithfield” for COBBLESTONES" (sessions every night).
HUGHES would be the most welcoming for something mad like a harmonica! especially the wee snug at the front on a fri or sat night!
… or the jacks on a mon or tues
djm
Ah, Trip to the Jacks, Brosna Slide, Lonesome Road to Dingle…don’t you just love tune names. I’d love to go home and say that I played a few tunes in Dublin. Maybe I’ll pack my bodhran…
Steve
Good for you, Steve. I hope you have a great trip!
djm
Seriously, they would love to hear harmonica in hughes, they are v welcoming.
Also i was in cobblestones last night and a guy joined in Malachy burkes session with harmonicas.
Sounds like Hughes could be the place to go - cheers, mate! Might you be there yourself around that time?
Steve
Could be. But then again i couldnt plan what im going to do this evening!
post a reminder a couple of days before ya arrive.
slainte.