I've never stayed there .....yet, but I often go to Dublin on business and it's my empoyers who book my acommodation, I usually stay in an apartments building in Lord Edward's Street, just two streets away from the Clarence, and from time to time we (people from work) have a drink at the Octagon or we have dinner at The Tea Room, the food is really good, sometimes it's quite difficult to book a table if you're not well in advance. Before it was closed, we used to go to The Kitchen for a dance the night before we left for our respective countries, you had to be veeery well dressed to get in there, but I think it was the best place in the city centre (of course I can't get into Lillies, it's only for members), and yes, I've seen some famous faces there, the last one I recall is Sting, Bono has always been more ellusive, he's always just entered or left, but always nowhere to be seen at the moment I am there.
I don't know why you say it is like stalking, it is a public establishment for people to go, I don't go there and stay for hours and hours just to see if I can catch as glimpse of U2, I go there because I like the place, the fact that some of its owners are Edge and Bono adds more attractive for me as I'm a fan, and I prefer giving my money to these people I know than giving it the the owners of the Merrion, for example, I do the same when I buy their music.
A Hard Days Night Hotel its called, Ive never stayed there but Ive had a coffee in their bar. Its really, really nice. And even though its a 5 star, the bar prices were pretty reasonable.
I have stayed elsewhere in Dublin (love the Clarence)
Any Plebans in Dublin this weekend??
I always like to stay in random posh hotels. 
