Holy Shamrocks! Meet the Irish Druid Who Saved California’s Soul (And Its Redwoods)

Ella Young is one of my all-time heroes. Her story might just knock your organic cotton socks off.

Picture this: It’s 1925, and a mystical Irish poet named Ella Young steps off a boat in California with nothing but a suitcase full of Celtic magic and revolutionary ideas that would make tree-huggers everywhere jump for joy.

A Magical Eco-Warrior

Now, you may be thinking. “Here we go—another woo-woo story about fairies and forest spirits!”

But hold onto your hiking boots, because Ella Young wasn’t just talking to trees—she was saving them. This badass Irish druid combined ancient Celtic magic with roll-up-your-sleeves activism that would make Greenpeace sit up and take notice.

Young believed something radical (at least for 1925): that Earth is alive! Not just “alive” in a metaphorical sense, but literally buzzing with spirits, consciousness, and sacred energy.

She introduced Americans to the Irish concept of cóir—which basically means “Hey, maybe we should treat Mother Earth like family instead of an ATM machine.”

Where Ancient Magic Meets Modern Problems

After landing in the U.S., Young did what any self-respecting druid would do: she started a mystical environmental group called the Fellowship of Shasta.

These weren’t your average weekend warriors—they held Celtic fire festivals on Mount Shasta, performed rituals at Mount Tamalpais, and basically turned environmental protection into a sacred ceremony.

But here’s where it gets really juicy…

The Universe Always Backs Up True Believers

While other folks were busy arguing about whether nature had rights, Young and her Fellowship were out there making things happen:

Point Lobos Miracle: When developers tried to bulldoze Point Lobos (now a gorgeous California State Park overlooking the ocean), Young and her crew stepped in and said, “Not on our watch!”

They combined spiritual practice with political action—and guess what? They won.

The developers backed down, and one of California’s most beautiful coastal areas was saved.

Redwood Rescue: Young partnered with the Save the Redwoods League to protect California’s ancient giants. While others saw timber dollars, she saw living cathedrals that had been standing since the rise of the Roman Empire.

The Ripple Effect of One Determined Soul

Young’s influence spread like wildfire (the good kind). Her friend Dorothy Erskine became a major advocate for limiting urban sprawl.

• Her lectures packed auditoriums with people hungry for a new way of seeing the world.
• Her children’s books taught kids that forests have feelings and mountains have moods.

She wrote books with titles like The Wonder-Smith and His Son and The Unicorn with Silver Shoes—because even her stories were magical.

Her Celtic Wonder-Tales is my favorite collection of Celtic myths.

Why This Matters More Than Ever

Here’s the thing that gives me goosebumps: Young was doing in the 1920s what we desperately need to do today.

She understood that environmentalism isn’t just about science and policy—it’s about relationship. It’s about remembering that we’re not separate from nature; we are nature.

At a time when most people saw Earth as a resource to exploit, Young saw it as a relative to honor. She proved that a little mysticism mixed with a lot of determination can move mountains (or at least save them from being strip-mined).

The Magic is Still Working

The Ella Young Society keeps her legacy alive today, sharing her teachings about seeing Earth as a living, breathing, feeling being.

Her approach—part ancient wisdom, part modern activism—feels more relevant than ever.

Because let’s face it: the old ways of protecting the environment aren’t working fast enough. Greedy politicians are stripping environmental protections right and left!

Maybe it’s time to try some Irish magic.

It’s Your Turn to Channel Your Inner Druid

Young’s story reminds us that the most powerful environmental tool might not be a solar panel or a hybrid car (though those are great too). It might be remembering that we’re part of something bigger, older, and more magical than our busy minds can comprehend.

So here’s your assignment: Go outside. Find a tree. Introduce yourself. See what happens when you treat nature like the relative she is.

Earth is waiting for more people like Ella Young—people who understand that saving the planet isn’t just about changing policies. It’s about changing consciousness.

And consciousness is the one renewable resource that can change the world.

Ready to Carry On the Work of Ella Young?

If this story lit a fire in your soul (like those Celtic fire festivals!), then you’re ready to join a movement that’s been 2,000+ years in the making.

Just like those ancient redwoods have been quietly healing the planet for millennia, you have the power to be a force of restoration in ways you never imagined.

Earth is calling for modern-day druids who understand that healing the planet starts with consciousness and cooperation.

Remember: Ella Young saved Point Lobos with a small group of dedicated souls. Imagine what we can accomplish together in 2025.

The earth has been waiting for you. She’s ready when you are.

What’s your favorite way to connect with nature? Share your earth-honoring rituals in the comments below!

---

Want to learn more about Ella Young’s magical environmental work? Check out the Ella Young Society or dive into her memoir “Flowering Dusk” for a firsthand account of mystical activism in action.

---