Jessie Buckley, born in Killarney in 1989, has been named the 2026 recipient of the Kerry Association in Dublin Arts Award. Her Best Actress win at the 98th Academy Awards in March for her role as a grieving mother in Hamnet has reinforced her reputation for range, dedication, and emotional depth. At 36, she became the first Irish woman to win the Oscar for Best Actress. The Kerry Association chairperson praised her ability to perform across styles and emotions and described her as an outstanding role model for younger performers. Buckley credited her upbringing in Kerry for helping her recognize beauty and wildness in human expression, and she returned to Killarney in 2008 to audition for Carousel.
"“This deeply talented, sensational woman can act in any capacity - guileless or knowing, reserved or uncontained, transmit glee, ecstasy, dread, fear or confusion,” Mr Twomey said."
"“She brings her audiences with her and is an outstanding role model for the younger generation who look at her and aspire to access on the world stage,” he added."
"“Thank you, this is a great honour to accept this award,” she said. She added that growing up in Kerry helped her recognise 'the capacity for beauty and wildness in our own human expression' through the natural surroundings she experienced as a child."
"At 36, Jessie became the first Irish woman to win the Oscar for Best Actress, confirming her status as a once-in-a-generation talent with extraordinary acting ability."
Read at Irish Independent
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