Buckley makes history as first Irish woman to win best actress Oscar

Irish star Jessie Buckley delivered one of the most emotional moments of Oscar night as she dedicated her history-making best actress award to the family who helped her reach the pinnacle of Hollywood.

The 36-year-old became the first Irish actress ever to win the best actress Academy Award, taking the coveted prize for her portrayal of William Shakespeare’s wife Agnes in the film adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel Hamnet.

Killarney-born Buckley triumphed over a star-studded field including Kate Hudson, Emma Stone, Rose Byrne and Norwegian actress Renate Reinsve.

Buckley was visibly overwhelmed as her name was announced, but fighting back the emotion, she thanked her family for shaping the fearless spirit that carried her to Oscar glory.

“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, in a moment that drew huge applause from the audience.

Buckley's mother Marina is a native of Kilmainhamwood near Kingscourt and she still has family residing nearby. She was in attendance at the awards ceremony with her husband and daughters to witness the historic occasion.

Buckley also gave a heartfelt shout-out to her husband and “best friend”, Freddie Sorensen, telling the crowd she wanted to have “20,000 more babies” with him, before turning to the couple’s eight-month-old daughter Isla.

“My little girl, who has absolutely no idea what’s going on and is probably dreaming of milk- but this is kind of a big deal,” she laughed. “I love you, and I love being your mum.”

Marking Mother’s Day, Buckley dedicated the award to mothers everywhere.

“This journey helped me understand the limitless capacity of a mother’s love,” she said. “We all come from a lineage of women who continue to create against all odds.”

Her Oscar win adds to victories at the BAFTA Awards, Golden Globe Awards and Critics’ Choice Awards for the same role.

This is the second Oscar winner with local links, after British and American actress and singer Eileen Evelyn Greer Garson (29 September 1904 – 6 April 1996) who won the Best Actress gong in 1942 for her role in Mrs. Miniver.

Garson's mother Nancy Sophia "Nina" Garson (née Greer) was born in Drumalure near Belturbet.