I'm rebasing myself in Dublin for at least the next 6 months and perhaps the next decade. I'm greatly looking forward to having a chance to spend more time in Dublin which I've always liked, but am dreading the travel.

I generallly take 2-4 flights a week and will most often be flying to Bristol, London, Warsaw, Wroclaw, Katowice and less often the US.

I've been relatively spoiled in the past - for years as a BA Gold out of T5 and in the last few years based between Warsaw (which is very comfortable when in J or as a Star Alliance Elite), Mexico City (AMEX Centurion lounges) and Bangkok (VIP services). I have OneWorld Emerald and Star Alliance Gold and an old unlimited Priority Pass.

Are there any suggestions of how to make the Dublin airport and on-board experience a bit less miserable than it seems to be described? Aer Lingus looks like the best option for most flights (Ryanair where required), but with only Y class it seems like it would take forever for me to get any status which I'm not sure has tangible benefits anyways. Any hints and tricks would be greatly appreciated!