I've used the Dublin flight a couple of times...
Great to drive five minutes to the airport, not so great not getting into Dublin until lunchtime - it makes a work schedule a little hard to put together. Same for the morning flight back - in fact last time I ended up flying back to Manchester and getting the train...
Check-in is great and the queues for security non-existent. Security is a bigger pain than normal (I think they are bored) making me unpack my bag as it's too densely packed for the scanner... Funny how no-one else struggles.
The first flight was delayed as the fueler was lost. I reckon he was asleep...
The lounge is perfectly adequate, and while the planes are far from new I the Aer Lingus crew are pleasant.
Biggest issue I have is the over zealous policing of the Estate Roads. They mean it when they mean no stopping!