liffy,
I've no idea how often you travel long haul but I am a regular enough visitor to the US East Coast. On any of my fares in the last 12months, Aer Lingus have been significantly higher than what I have paid to BA. The only thing that keeps me sane when having to fly East to then go West is typically a 200-400€ price differential that I would have to pay if flying through Dublin with Aer Lingus.
I want to fly from Cork and I would like to fly with Aer Lingus but quite frankly their fares and their level of service are at opposite ends of the spectrum compared to all others.
Even if you look at fares to the US direct from Ireland over the next three months, I guarantee you AL will be the most expensive option on most routes.
I'm not an AL basher, far from it, but this ain't no packet of biscuits you're buying from the corner shop. Its typically a ten hour travel experience costing several hundred Euro.... and I don't mind shopping around for the privilege.