Killarney, County Kerry native Jesse Buckley became the first Irish actress to win the Best Actress Oscar at Sunday evening's Academy Awards in Los Angeles.
“Mum, Dad, thank you for teaching us to dream, and to never be defined by expectation, but to carve from your own passion,” she said. “You, Fred, I love you, man, I love you. You’re the most incredible dad. You’re my best friend, and I want to have 20,000 more babies with you. I do. And to my little girl, who is eight months, who has absolutely no idea what’s going on and is probably dreaming of milk, but this is kind of a big deal,” said Buckley after receiving her Oscar statue.
Buckley's emotional reaction clearly grabbed the hearts of the Oscar crowd. Her win came for her role as the wife of William Shakespeare in Hamnet, opposite County Kildare's Paul Mescal who applauded Buckley's win from the audience.
In a message of congratulation that was also directed at Irish Oscar winner Richard Baneham, Irish President Catherine Connolly said: “As President of Ireland, may I offer my warmest congratulations to Jessie Buckley and Richard Baneham following their fantastic success in being awarded an Oscar at last night’s Academy Awards ceremony.
"Jessie Buckley’s award is an historic moment, with Jessie becoming the first Irish woman to receive an Oscar in the Best Actress category. This achievement is a thoroughly deserved testament not only to Jessie’s outstanding performance in Hamnet, but to her performances both in film and on stage across her career to date. I know that her proud community in Kerry and beyond will be sharing with her in this wonderful achievement.
"The award of a third Oscar to Richard Baneham for Visual Effects is a truly remarkable achievement following his previous Oscars in 2009 and 2023 and reflects his standing as one of the outstanding technicians in his field.
"May I also add my congratulations to all those Irish people, including Maggie O’Farrell, John Kelly, Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe and all at Element Pictures and Wild Atlantic Pictures, who received a nomination for this year’s awards. A nomination for an Oscar is, in itself, a reward for truly outstanding work and recognition of those at the very top of their craft.
"We are very lucky to have so many talented people contributing at every level to the Irish film industry at this time. May I congratulate Screen Ireland and all those working in the Irish film and acting communities, and all those supporting them, for their continued success, and for the wonderful pieces of art which they continue to bring to audiences across the world.
"May I wish all of them my congratulations and wish them a happy St Patrick’s Day as they celebrate this thoroughly deserved success.”
