And, no matter whether you flew with BA or EI, it was £300 for DUB-LHR-DUB but only if you stayed two nights - otherwise it was double that. Yes, I remember it well. Thankfully, those days are gone forever.
Low fare can be low fare without the Ryanair nastiness. Take Southwest, the original low fare airline... No check-in fees, no baggage fees, no wheelchair fees, complimentary sodas, complimentary nuts/pretzels, etc. Its Ryanair that has turned low fare into a nasty, expoitational money gathering business.