The Taoiseach and Tánaiste have led congratulations to Jessie Buckley after her win at Sunday night's BAFTA Awards ceremony in London.
The Killarney native received the Leading Actress award for her performance as Agnes, William Shakespeare's wife, in the film Hamnet.
Watch: Jessie Buckley wins for Hamnet
Taoiseach Micheál Martin posted online, saying: "Congratulations Jessie Buckley on a richly deserved Best Actress Bafta for your performance in Hamnet."
The Taoiseach added: "Incredibly positive to see Irish talent continuing to shine on the global stage."
Congratulations Jessie Buckley on a richly deserved Best Actress @BAFTA for your performance in Hamnet.
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) February 22, 2026
Incredibly positive to see Irish talent continuing to shine on the global stage. https://t.co/FE58pcRzou
Tánaiste Simon Harris posted on X: "History made!"
He continued: "Jessie wins the BAFTA for Best Actress, a first for Ireland!"
He added: "Massive congratulations to her on a truly remarkable achievement.
"Hard luck to Paul Mescal too but another nomination is a testament to just how much Irish talent is lighting up screens globally."
History made! 🇮🇪
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) February 22, 2026
Jessie wins the BAFTA for Best Actress, a first for Ireland!
Massive congratulations to her on a truly remarkable achievement. Hard luck to Paul Mescal too but another nomination is a testament to just how much Irish talent is lighting up screens globally. https://t.co/n5iQl8CqCB
Kildare actor Mescal, who played the bard, was nominated in the Supporting Actor category but lost out to Sean Penn, who appeared in One Battle After Another.
Buckley was presented with her Leading Actress award by fellow Irish actor Cillian Murphy at the ceremony in London's Royal Festival Hall.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald added her congratulations with a post on X: "Comhghairdeas to Kerry's Jessie Buckley on her big win tonight!
"A sublime talent who has made Ireland so incredibly proud."
Comhghairdeas to Kerry's Jessie Buckley on her big win tonight! A sublime talent who has made Ireland so incredibly proud 👏 pic.twitter.com/6swdkJS1EB
— Mary Lou McDonald (@MaryLouMcDonald) February 22, 2026
Those who have known the Co Kerry performer from her earliest acting days also joined in the celebrations.
Marie Moloney, of Killarney Musical Society, first met Buckley when she joined their children's chorus aged nine.
She said: "She's done her family proud, she's done her town proud, and she's done her country very proud".
She said the group are "getting used to" Buckley's wins.
"We nearly expect it at this stage, but of course, it was wonderful. She's very talented, very, very talented," she added.
Source: Press Association
