Jessie Buckley’s portrayal of Agnes in Hamnet moved from tender whispers to her son to the devastating grief of losing him and coming to terms with his loss. The performance captured the beautiful chaos of motherhood with striking emotional power. When Buckley was crowned Best Actress at the 2026 Oscars, the moment sparked euphoric celebrations, with her hometown proudly claiming the global victory as its own.

County Kerry burst into celebration when Buckley’s Best Actress win appeared on screens. Pubs, homes, and streets across Killarney filled with cheers as locals clinked glasses and chanted her name. Families gathered around televisions, hugged, and danced as they watched their hometown star take the biggest honor in Hollywood.

The excitement had been building for weeks, especially after Radio Kerry launched a pre-Oscars campaign that included €1,000 good luck contests featuring poems, songs, and crafts created in Buckley’s honor. The buildup also included tributes from schoolchildren and even a personal video message of support from Micheál Martin.

Buckley’s journey from local theatre stages to an Oscar victory has become a source of pride across Ireland.  Her earlier nomination for The Lost Daughter had already put her on the awards map, but this win felt like a defining milestone.

While the streets of Kerry filled with cheers, Buckley’s heartfelt acceptance speech made the moment feel even more personal.

Jessie Buckley makes Oscar history with Emotional Speech

Jessie Buckley made history as the first Irish woman to win Best Actress at the Academy Awards. Her speech was filled with gratitude and emotional sincerity. She thanked her husband and her 8-month-old daughter, and dedicated the award to what she called the “chaos of a mother’s heart,” reflecting the emotional core of her performance in Hamnet.

She ended the speech with a line in Gaelic, saying “Go raibh maith agaibh, slán,” meaning thank you very much and goodbye, a moment that thrilled viewers across Ireland. Later, while speaking on UK Mother’s Day, Buckley described the experience as “some kind of crazy alchemy.”

Back in Kerry, the celebrations only grew louder as word of her Gaelic sign-off spread through pubs and homes already buzzing with excitement. What began as a Hollywood milestone quickly turned into a deeply personal hometown victory, with Killarney proudly embracing Buckley’s moment on the world stage.

What do you think of the celebrations after Jessie Buckley's win? Let us know in the comments.

Written by

Pratham Gurung

Edited by

Hriddhi Maitra