Jessie Buckley’s Oscar Win Celebrated by Family and Community

Killarney-born Jessie Buckley made history on Sunday, March 14, 2026, becoming the first Irish woman to win the Best Actress Oscar for her performance in Hamnet. The win has been met with widespread celebration from her family, friends, and community in Kerry, Ireland.

A Family Affair

Buckley’s father, Tim, described the win as a “fantastic honour” and expressed confidence that his daughter would handle the attention surrounding awards season, including the Oscar buzz, with grace. As reported by RTÉ, Tim noted the family’s grounded nature, stating, “We take these things in our stride down in Kerry, now!”

During her acceptance speech, Buckley acknowledged her brother, Killian, a mountaineer. Killian himself believes the Oscar win won’t change his sister, describing her as someone who is “more likely to be in the garden covered in muck than walking down a high street.” He emphasized her authenticity, stating she is “as good a sister as you could hope for” and always makes time to connect with family.

Buckley’s uncle and godfather, Sean Buckley, called her achievement “absolutely extraordinary” and expressed immense pride. A gathering of around 60 family members and friends at the Arbutus Hotel in Killarney celebrated her success late into the night and early Monday morning. Sean highlighted the significance of her win, stating, “You’ve flown the flag for Kerry, for Ireland, for women, for everybody.”

Staying True to Her Roots

Cousins Emer and Róisín too shared their pride, emphasizing Buckley’s ability to remain grounded despite her success. Emer noted that Jessie is “waving the flag for herself” whereas representing Ireland and Kerry, staying true to her roots in a challenging industry. Róisín described Buckley as “the most open person,” articulate and non-judgmental, and praised her immersive performance in Hamnet, suggesting she seemed to embody the character rather than simply acting.

A Legacy of Dreams

The celebration took place at the Arbutus Hotel, a family-owned establishment for 100 years. Sean Buckley reflected on the legacy of his parents, Tim and Julia Buckley, who established the hotel with a spirit of ambition and self-belief, encouraging future generations to “don’t be afraid to dream” and “do not underestimate yourself.”

Critical Acclaim for Hamnet

Jessie Buckley won the Critics Choice Award for Best Actress on January 5, 2026, for her performance in Hamnet, a historical drama based on the novel by Maggie O’Farrell. The Irish Examiner reported on this earlier win, setting the stage for her Oscar success. During the Critics Choice Awards, Buckley paid tribute to director Chloé Zhao and co-stars Paul Mescal and Emily Watson.

Buckley is also nominated in the Best Actress category at the Golden Globes, with the nominations for the Academy Awards announced on January 22, 2026.