Residents of Killarney, County Kerry, are celebrating after local actress Jessie Buckley became the first Irish woman to win the best actress Oscar. The town, already decorated for St Patrick's Day, added posters of Buckley to its shamrocks and tricolour bunting.
Locals expressed pride and excitement. Butcher Denis Cronin said he was 'delighted for Jessie herself, delighted for her family' and predicted she would receive a welcome akin to that given to the Kerry Gaelic football team. Another resident compared the Oscar to the Sam Maguire Cup, saying 'now we have the Sam Maguire and the Oscar'.
Buckley's former principal, Mary Woodcock-O'Sullivan, recalled her as a 'very natural, country girl' who 'gave everything 110%'. Current principal Brian O'Sullivan noted 'great excitement' among pupils, who found inspiration in Buckley's journey from their classrooms to the world stage.
The win has also sparked comparisons with other local successes, including actor Michael Fassbender, and reinforced Killarney's growing reputation in the film industry.
