Had a chance to play Royal County Down two weeks ago and thought I'd share some photos. Many more eloquent than I am have weighed in about the course so I won't waste your time with many of my thoughts.
It was a windy day, +30mph gusts but still didn't find the course as difficult from the tee as I had imagined and that's not necessarily my strong suit -- plenty tough though, especially the bunkers.
Interesting sidebar. The starter who's been playing there since 1965 was putting his eclectic scorecard together and had a 49, said he'd shot 74 and 76 there as a 13 and doesn't carry any woods.
#1 from starter's hut
#2 from fairway -- one gnarly bunker in front of that green.
View of #3 spoiled
#4 looking back towards tee
#6 One of many blind tee shots (look for the white stone)
#6 from fway
Short #7 -- I thought the course had some excellent one shotters
#8 from fairway (I think)
#9 Tee
# 9 from top of dune -- I had always imagined this was where the tee box was!
My unfortunate playing partner on top of the dune at #9 green
#9 looking back from behind the green
Buck