Clements Wood

This small woodland area outside the town of Larne in east Antrim was originally named Clements after the landowner’s grandfather in the late 1800s. It was traditionally used by the family as a source of lumber. During the late 20th-century, the Woodland Trust acquired the site but in the early 2000s, the small woodland became a lasting tribute to the Queen Mother.

The Queen Mother was born Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon in 1900. She was the daughter of Lord Glamis and the mother of Queen Elizabeth II. Lyon was known as Queen Mother so she would not be confused with her daughter. Lyon’s life throughout the 20th-century was remarkable.

Lyon married Prince Albert (Duke of York) in 1923, became the Queen Consort, and married King George VI in 1936. Lyon also helped the nation throughout World War II. After George’s death in 1952, she continued to undertake royal duties on behalf of her daughter Queen Elizabeth II until her death in March 2002.

That same year, Roy Beggs joined a national tribute to Lyon by planting acorns collected from her former residence at Glamis Castle in Angus, Scotland at Clements Wood. In 2004, 600 oak saplings were planted at the site to create a royal oak grove and a special ceremony was also held in her honor.