Delight in Ireland after Jessie Buckley’s ‘historic’ best actress Oscar win

Jessie Buckley’s Oscar win prompted an early start to St Patrick’s Day celebrations across Ireland. Politicians, artists and commentators expressed joy after waking to images of the Kerry actor clutching the statuette for best actress in Los Angeles. The Irish president, Catherine Connolly, called it “a historic moment” and said the award was a deserved testament to Buckley’s performance in Hamnet and to her work on film and stage.

The taoiseach, Micheál Martin, led government tributes, while Simon Harris hailed Buckley as the first Irish woman to win the best actress Oscar: “What a moment. Comhghairdeas Jessie!” Brenda Fricker’s best supporting actress win in 1990 for My Left Foot was recalled in that context.

Bookmakers had made Buckley the runaway favourite at the ceremony, and supporters in her home town of Killarney who stayed up to follow the announcement were nervous as the envelope was opened. Her uncle, Sean Buckley, said: “There’s no weight with family. You love them so much always.

Ireland, Killarney

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