Irish actress Jessie Buckley's message of family and life at the Oscars

- Michael Kelly, Dublin, OSV News

Upon winning the best actress award for her portrayal of Agnes Shakespeare in “Hamnet,” Irish actress Jessie Buckley exclaimed a couple of days ago, “I would like to dedicate this to the beautiful chaos of a mother's heart. We all come from a lineage of women who continue to create against all odds,” she said.

She also told her husband Fred, statuette in hand, “You're my best friend, and I want to have 20,000 more babies with you. Yes, yes, yes!” “I love you, man. I love you. You're the most amazing dad".

While holding the coveted Oscar statuette, Buckley recalled that the ceremony coincided with Mother's Day in his native Ireland. “I would like to dedicate this to the beautiful chaos of a mother's heart. We all come from a lineage of women who continue to create against all odds,” she added.

He dedicated the award to his 8-month-old daughter Isla.

Buckley became a mother for the first time in 2025, and told the audience that included dozens of Hollywood stars, that she wanted to dedicate the award to her daughter “Isla, my 8-month-old little girl, who has no idea what's going on and probably dreams of milk, but this is a big deal. I love you and I love being your mom, and I can't wait to discover life by your side,” Buckley said.

On March 17, as the 80 million people of Irish descent around the world celebrated Ireland's national patron saint, St. Patrick, a Briton who brought Christianity to the island in 432, the Irish convent school that gave the world the Oscar-winning actress Jessie Buckley, is brimming with pride.

Following her dazzling ceremony in Hollywood, Catholic Jessie Buckley is receiving praise on social media for her acceptance speech, which conveys an unwavering pro-life and pro-family message, assuring young women that they can prioritize both their careers and their families.

Convent and school in Thurles, proudly

It was at the Ursuline convent in Thurles, County Tipperary, where Buckley first showcased her acting talent, and the local community said the alumna “has filled us with great pride.”.

In a March 16 Facebook post, Ursuline High School in Thurles said it is “immensely proud to congratulate alumna Jessie Buckley on her Oscar win for Best Actress at the 2026 Academy Awards.”.

“Agnes Shakespeare's tender, insightful and resilient performance in ‘Hamnet,’ which earned her this award, marks an extraordinary high point in what has been an impressive career to date,” the release said.

“Following Jessie's extraordinary career path has filled us with great pride and her work has graced our school community through her remarkable passion, talent and commitment to her craft,” the release continued.

“Exceptional talent and dedication.”

“From the school level to the world stage, Jessie's success is testament to her exceptional talent and dedication. She has always been, and now more than ever, an inspiration to all of us at our school.”.

“Jessie's journey,” added the school community, “represents all of the values we hold dear here at Ursuline: excellence, dedication, creativity and humility. This win also exemplifies the potential we believe resides in each of our students.”.

The school proudly recalled a visit Buckley made in 2019 to address the entire school community. 

“She told students that, as girls, they should never be afraid of their own potential and reminded them that they are more powerful than they can imagine,” the release said. “Jessie continues to be a shining example of this and what can be achieved with talent and dedication.”.

The entire Ursuline community celebrates

“We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Jessie, her family and all those who have supported her throughout her professional journey. The entire Ursuline community celebrates this important achievement with her and we feel privileged to have been a part of her journey,” added the school community.

It was at the convent school that Buckley first stepped on stage and honed his acting skills. He played three leading roles in school musicals: Freddy in “Chess,” Adam in “Children of Eden” and Tony in “West Side Story.” His star talent was evident even from those early roles, according to his former teacher.

‘Look at her, she'll win an Oscar one day,’” said her teacher.

Music teacher Joan Butler told a local radio station that she had foreseen this award for Buckley since her days at Ursuline High School.

“I remember the whole room was silent, mouths agape, watching the rehearsal. And I remember turning to some of the students and saying, ‘Look at her, she's going to win an Oscar someday,’” Butler said.

The Ursuline convent first opened its doors in Thurles in 1787, at a time when Irish Catholics were persecuted under cruel penal laws and Catholic education was severely restricted.

‘Hamnet’

The film ‘Hamnet’ recreates the relationship between Agnes and William Shakespeare, and the impact on their lives of the death of their son Hamnet at the age of eleven during a plague epidemic, and how that tragedy inspired the writing of Hamlet.

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Michael Kelly writes for OSV News from Dublin.

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