Royal Oak planted in Ballycastle to honour Coronation of King Charles III

All photos: McAuley Multimedia

The Ballycastle Branch of the Royal British Legion has planted a Royal Oak at Ballycastle Presbyterian Church to commemorate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III.

The tree dedication took place on Saturday 20 September 2025 and was led by the Rev. Gary Glasgow.

The project had been under consideration for some time, with a number of potential locations explored. Securing a suitable site had proved challenging, and the branch expressed particular gratitude to Ballycastle Presbyterian Church for permitting the planting within its grounds.

The new Royal Oak now stands close to an historic tree dating back to the 1830s.

A spokesperson for the branch said the new planting “marks a new beginning”. It is the second Royal Oak to be planted locally, following one previously dedicated to mark the Diamond Jubilee of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

The ceremony was attended by a number of distinguished guests, including the Lord Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell KStJ DL, and the Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Alderman Richard Stewart.

Senior representatives from the Royal British Legion Northern Ireland were also present, including Col Neil Salisbury OBE DL, President; Mr Lenny Lucas, Vice-Chairman; Mr John Gilmore, National Conference Representative; and Rev Dr Isaac Thompson MBE, TD, DL, Senior RBL NI Chaplain.

Members of the Royal Navy Association joined with colleagues from Ballymoney, Bushmills and Portrush RBL branches, together with members of Ballycastle Presbyterian Church’s congregation.

Cutting the cake following the special tree planting ceremony by Ballycastle RBL. Pictured: Micheal Colohan, President, David McCorkell, Lord Lieutenant of County Antrim, James McCurdy, Chairman, and Alderman Richard Stewart, Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.

Following the planting, those gathered enjoyed tea and fellowship in the church hall.