Jessie Buckley’s Hometown Celebrates Historic Oscar Win

Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland, is brimming with pride after Jessie Buckley made history as the first Irish actress to win the Academy Award for Best Actress. Her win, awarded on Sunday night at the 98th Academy Awards, was celebrated both in Los Angeles, where her parents Tim and Marina Buckley were present, and back home in the town that has followed her journey from local productions to international acclaim.

A Town United in Support

The entire town of Killarney rallied behind Buckley leading up to the awards ceremony. Celebrations took place at a private gathering hosted by the Buckley family at the Arbutus Hotel, where relatives and friends witnessed the historic moment. Cousin Brendan Fuller described the atmosphere as a “carnival,” a reunion of people who had supported Buckley since her early days, including her appearance on the BBC show I’d Do Anything in 2008.

Locals and businesses showed their support in creative ways. Flags and bunting adorned shopfronts, with one display at Who’s 4 Shoes featuring Buckley alongside the Sam Maguire Cup and an Oscar award, proclaiming “Sam’s home!! Oscar is on the way!”

Local Businesses Join the Celebration

Several businesses in Killarney created special tributes to Buckley. J.M. Reidy’s café began serving coffees with her image printed on the foam using a ripple machine, an idea proposed by a team member’s mother, Sandra O’Sullivan. Hillards restaurant and The Ross Hotel also introduced Oscar-themed cocktail specials, with The Ross Hotel’s creation, “Winner Winner Jessie Dinner,” crafted with Muckross Gin and other Irish ingredients.

Centra Muckross Road staff wore face masks featuring Buckley’s image, and local artist Paul Egan painted a portrait of her on an electrical box, facilitated by Killarney Tidy Towns and Kerry County Arts.

From Local Talent to Global Star

Born and raised in Killarney, Buckley’s talent was evident from a young age, with involvement in musical theatre and a mother, Marina, who was a well-known singer and harpist. She gained wider recognition after appearing on I’d Do Anything and subsequently trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. Her career has included roles in West End theatre and productions like Chernobyl and The Lost Daughter.

Buckley’s recent performance in Hamnet earned her numerous accolades, culminating in the Oscar win. Her father, Tim Buckley, expressed his immense pride, stating it was “a historic day for the women of Ireland.”

A Community’s Pride

Niamh Sheahan, involved in the family business at J.M. Reidy’s, highlighted the positive atmosphere in the town, noting the excitement surrounding the awards and the widespread admiration for Buckley. She emphasized Buckley’s down-to-earth nature and the family’s strong ties to the Killarney community, with her aunt and uncle running a Montessori school in the town.

Radio Kerry, in conjunction with the National Tertiary Office and local partners, launched a “Jessie Buckley Weekend” and offered a €1,000 prize for the most creative good luck wish to the actress, receiving entries including sand art, crochet, and street art.