'A historic day for the women of Ireland': Killarney celebrates Jessie Buckley's Oscar win
History made.. Killarney native Jessie Buckley become the first Irish woman to win Best Actress at the Academy Awards in Hollywood for her role in Hamnet on Monday morning. Celebrations took place in the Arbutus Hotel at a private gathering hosted by the Buckley family in Killarney. Jessie's Uncle and Godfather Sean Buckley, (3rd generation owner of the Arbutus Hotel & Buckley's Bar) his wife and Jessie's aunt, Carol Dempsey and first cousins Emer and Roisin Buckley. Picture: Valerie O'Sullivan.
Born and raised in Killarney, Jessie Buckley’s journey from local productions to the global stage is something the town has followed with pride.
Her early years were filled with music, creativity and community — her mother Marina was a well-known singer and harpist in the town.
Buckley became involved in musical theatre from a young age, quickly showing the talent that would eventually take her from Killarney to Los Angeles.
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Her breakthrough came when she appeared on the BBC talent series From there, she went on to train at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, and what followed was an impressive career which saw her star in West End theatre and film and television productions, including and
Most recently, the limelight was back on Buckley following her impressive and widely praised performance in for which she took home the Oscar Award for Best Actress at Sunday night's 98th Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles.
But it’s the influence of growing up in Killarney and her love for her roots that has stuck with Buckley through the red carpets and award ceremonies.
And now, freshly an Academy Award winner, after an already successful awards season, the entire town is behind the actress.
Celebrations took place in the Arbutus Hotel at a private gathering hosted by the Buckley family in Killarney on Sunday night, where the whole family witnessed Buckley make history.
Buckley’s parents, Tim and Marina, attended the Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday night.
Her father, Tim, said he is “so so happy and so, so proud” of his daughter after she became the first Irish actress to win the best actress Oscar.
He said it was a moment where the nation held its breath and that it was “a historic day for the women of Ireland”.
Back home, locals and businesses alike have been celebrating the actress in unique ways in the lead-up to the awards.
Radio Kerry, in conjunction with the National Tertiary Office (NTO) and local partners like MTU and Kerry College, launched a Jessie Buckley Weekend to coincide with the Oscars.
Together, they offered a €1,000 prize for the most creative good luck wish to Buckley, with entries including sand art, crochet, and street art of the actress.
J.M. Reidy’s on the main street in Killarney is serving up coffees featuring pictures of Jessie Buckley, using a ripple machine.
A ripple machine works like a printer and adds designs to foam-topped drinks, macarons, and iced desserts.
Speaking to the Niamh Sheahan, who is involved in the family business, said the idea to serve hot drinks with Buckley’s picture printed on top was proposed by Sandra O’Sullivan, a team member's mother, who works at the café.
“We have that ripple machine where you can put some nice messages on top of coffees and pints of Guinness and that. So, we do it from time to time for different occasions,” she said.
“It was actually Ciara’s mom’s idea. Ciara O’Sullivan is a manager here at Reidy’s, and it was her mom, Sandra, who has worked in ur cafe for a number of years, who had the idea to encourage the team to put the photo with Jessie on the coffees, so we have that going out on most coffees over the next few days.”Â
Speaking about the buzz around the town in the lead-up to the awards and the admiration that locals have for Buckley, Sheahan said: “There’s a great atmosphere in the town. Great excitement and there’s a great energy with it falling on Mother’s Day and St Patrick’s weekend. Down here, it’s not all about the rugby or Kerry v Mayo game; a lot of the talk and conversation is around Sunday and being able to support Jessie.
“Jessie would have visited us back in 2021, and we would have met her. She was in our courtyard when she was home for Christmas. She’s always been so down to earth, and we would know the Buckley family. They’re in business in the town; they have the Arbutus Hotel. So, not only are we supporting Jessie, but delighted for the Buckley family.
“Her aunt and uncle run a Montessori in the town as well, and even my kids, who go to the Montessori, are talking about Jessie. So it just shows you how big dreams can come from a small town.”Â
Flags and bunting take pride of place in shopfronts across the town this weekend.
Who’s 4 Shoes on High Street hung a large Kerry flag featuring a photo of Jessie Buckley, the Sam Maguire Cup and an Oscar award, with the text: “Sam’s home!! Oscar is on the way!”Â
Posting the shopfront on social media, Who’s 4 Shoes, wrote: “Killarney is behind you, Jessie! All of us here in Killarney are so proud of our own Jessie Buckley as she shines on the world stage. Your incredible talent, dedication, and passion inspire us all every single day.
“We're all cheering you on and sending the very best of luck your way. The whole town is behind you, and we can't wait to see you bring that Oscar home to Killarney!
“Let's all show our support and celebrate the amazing talent that Jessie is. Drop your good luck wishes below and let her know we're all rooting for her! Best of luck, Jessie - Killarney believes in you!”Â
The flag also appeared in the shop windows of Killarney Carpet and Furniture, T.Cronin and Sons butchers, and Murphy Brownes restaurant.
Niamh Sheahan's family business, next door to Reidy's, Hillards restaurant, is serving up cocktail specials with an Oscar theme over the weekend as a nod to Buckley.
The Ross Hotel has also introduced a special cocktail ahead of the Oscar Awards, available at Polly's and The Lane.
The Jessie Buckley-inspired cocktail named Winner Winner Jessie Dinner reflects just how confident the town was that the Oscar was coming home.
"Crafted with Muckross Gin, Irish Amaro, Vermouth, fresh apple, and topped with orange and grapefruit soda, finished with a delicate rosewater mist, it is as bold and unforgettable as the woman herself," the hotel posted on Instagram.
"With Jessie up for an Oscar this weekend for her performance in Hamnet, we could not be more proud. Best of luck, Jessie. You are already a winner in our eyes!"
Multiple Jessie Buckleys could be seen around Muckross Road this week. Staff at Centra Muckross Road wore cut-out face masks of the actress.
Posting a reel to social media this week, staff donned their masks of Buckley while doing their usual tasks at work.
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“A huge congratulations to Jessie Buckley on all the incredible success she has achieved so far,” the shop posted on Instagram this week.
“It's amazing to see someone from Killarney shining on the world stage.
“Wishing Jessie the very best of luck at the Oscars this weekend from all at Sheahan's Centra. We'll all be cheering you on!”Â
Paul Egan, an artist from the Dingle Peninsula, painted a portrait of Jessie Buckley on an electrical box in Killarney, made possible by Killarney Tidy Towns and Kerry County Arts.
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Egan also featured Buckley in his touring exhibition Kerry Icons Collection, which was displayed for 10 months at locations including Siamsa TĂre Tralee, the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport in Killarney, the Blasket Centre in Dunquin, and St John’s Theatre in Listowel.
