Well, despite O'Leary's comment that 'fewer than 1% of people in the UK fly with Aer Lingus', I had an excellent trip from Birmingham to Dublin and back with them a couple of months ago. Friendly, professional service at a good price.
Had they been swallowed up by another Irish airline, I'd have had to fly either from LHR or perhaps Oxford, because I will never, ever fly with Ryanair. Long may Aer Lingus prosper!!