Since the 9/11 paranoia set in, all incoming US connections have to pick up the luggage and re-check it.
This is actually incorrect. If you fly via Dublin or Shannon then upon arrival in the US you are treated as a domestic arrival and you do not need to pick up your bags as they cleared US Customs in Ireland. This is the relatively new (2 years now) process in addition to clearing immigration in Ireland. The whole process will save you potentially an hour of queueing for immigration when you arrive in the US.
Aer Lingus will allow you to book a connecting flight through Jetblue to Charlotte via JFK. The service on Aer Lingus will far exceed the US carriers serving Dublin (although I think Delta is a good second best).
Many friends who live in London all travel through Dublin to get to the US as it's so much easier. Well worth looking into in my opinion.