Buy a LEAP bus pass at the bus stations (there is a kiosk in a store at the bus station next to the airport). You can buy 24hr, 72hr and 7 day passes for €8, €16 and €32 respectively.
ACCOMMODATIONS
I have stayed in a couple of AirBnBs in Dublin: one was a room in a private house which was good (guard dog Lola), and a college dorm which was just okay, and at The Marilyn Mansion (below) which was very good. but there are a few small hotels closer to downtown and on a tram line that I should look into.
Hotel St. George, Castle Hotel ****, Barrys Hotel, and The Belvedere Hotel.
I stayed at The Marilyn Mansion, 37 Garville Avenue, Dublin. +353 87 350 5333 hello@marilynmansion.com. (I was worried the name might be a play on Marilyn Manson, but, no, the theme of the place is Marilyn Monroe, thankfully).
Probably 3 star but rooms are large and clean, if a little careworn. I had a rear ground floor facing the back seating area and garden — very nice. Continental breakfast is included and there is access to a microwave and refrigerator. Staff is friendly and helpful. I booked though AirBnB but it can be booked directly from their website. It also has ample parking. Note: I had en suite bathroom but some rooms have shared bathroom, so note that when booking.
Located for easy access to bus routes to the city centre. To get to the hotel from the airport go to Terminal 1, zone 14 bus stop and take the number 16 bus (Ballinteer). Get off at the stops #1293 or #1341 at the Kenilworth Park stop. This is at Rathgar Avenue cross street. (Don't be in a hurry — the ride takes about an hour and makes 50 stops along the way!) Walk Rathgar Ave. for about 5 minutes to Garville Ave. and the hotel is at the corner.
To get to and from the city centre, take buses 14, 15, 15A, 15B, 65 or 65B — stop is #1167 to the city centre; the stop is #1079 from the city centre. To get to those bus stops, take a right out of the hotel along Garville to Rathgar Road (not Rathgar Avenue!) The stops are on your left.
