In a landmark moment at the 98th Academy Awards, Kerry-born actor Jessie Buckley has etched her name in cinematic history as the first Irish woman to win the Oscar for Best Actress. The revelation, met with a standing ovation, marks not only a personal triumph for Buckley but a defining moment for Irish representation in cinema.

Buckley, 36, received the coveted award for her utterly raw and emotional performance of Agnes Hathaway in Chloe Zhao’s adaptation of Hamnet. After a sweeping success this awards season, Buckley took to the stage, visibly taken aback by the heavy applause.

Despite the limited time available to award winners, Buckley thanked her family and fellow filmmakers, dedicated her win to “the beautiful chaos of a mother’s heart,” added that “we all come from a lineage of women who continue to create against all odds,” and finished with a Gaelic goodbye.

This victory not only secures Buckley’s place among the greats of cinema but also opens the door for the future generation of Irish actors. Previous to this year’s Academy Awards, Irish actor Brenda Fricker won Best Support Actress in 1990 for My Left Foot.