In Dublin I'm at the Gibson Hotel which is out in Docklands next to the 3 Arena - was at a Holiday Inn Express in Belfast that had some issues (cracked plaster from ceiling to floor, missing breakfast items, uncofomfortable bed - doubt I'd stay there again as something has changed since my 2012 visit which was great). I've walked to the Gibson Hotel from O'Connell Street before and it's 27 minutes, but the Luas tram stops in front of the hotel and it's a 10 min trip down from O'Connell Street so quite convenient/ Trams run until 11:30pm on Sunday and midnight the rest of the week. There are no amenities out in this area and the ferry port is across the street, but the hotel is an excellent value for being slightly out of the city center.

My "go to" hotels in Dublin had rooms for $250 a night this week when I booked back in October. I usually pay about $80 a night with them off season. Out of curiosity I looked last night and all the Jury's Inns were sold out this week and the Maldron on Parnell Square, which is about as far out as you would want to walk, had dropped their rates to $132 (some of that reflecting the strong dollar). Look at Maldron Hotels and Jurys Inn if you're looking at something that won't break the bank. Both offer breakfast for around 10 euros extra.