Speaking shortly after the announcement at the 98th Academy Awards, Buckley’s uncle and godfather, Sean, said the family was overwhelmed with pride. "We are so, so proud of you. Well, well done, Jess," he told RTÉ.
Around 60 family members and close friends gathered at the family’s Arbutus Hotel in Killarney to watch the ceremony. Parents Marina and Tim Buckley, pictured above, headed over to the States during the week, along with her sister, Lily.
"You’ve flown the flag for Kerry, for Ireland, for women, for everybody," Sean added. "You are extraordinary. Thank you for what you have done."
He told the national broadcaster the moment Buckley was announced as the winner brought huge relief and excitement for the family.
He added the family would have been just as proud regardless of the result.
"I think it’s challenging in that, for us, there’s no weight with family. You love them so much always," he said.
Sean insisted the outcome would never have changed how the family felt about her.
"Whatever was in that envelope wasn’t going to change our view of her, or her view of herself, or where she sits within our family," he said. "But it’s just the icing on the cake for her and for her family."
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He also described how special it was that Buckley’s parents, Tim and Marina, were in the audience in Los Angeles to see the moment unfold, along with her brief Irish-language moment during the acceptance speech.
The celebrations in Killarney were particularly meaningful for the Buckley family. The Arbutus Hotel has been part of the family for generations, originally established by Tim and Julia Buckley around a century ago.
Sean said sharing the moment there with relatives and friends, many of whom have followed Buckley’s journey for years, made the night even more special.
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Buckley’s cousin, Emer, also spoke to RTÉ, saying the family was immensely proud to see her representing both Kerry and Ireland on the world stage.
"I think the thing we’re probably most proud of is that while she is waving the flag for Ireland and Kerry, she’s also waving the flag for herself," she said.
Emer added that despite the intensity of the film industry, Buckley has always remained grounded and connected to her roots.
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Her sister Róisín also praised the Oscar winner’s character and openness, describing her as someone you could speak to about anything without fear of judgment.
She said watching Buckley in "Hamnet" felt natural and authentic, joking that it was like seeing her wandering through the woods around Killarney gathering ingredients for one of the characters’ potions.
Speaking to RTÉ following her historic win, Buckley had one very definite message for her family celebrating back home: "Don’t go to bed – keep partying!"
She added, "I am so grateful for the support, and I feel the love. I feel it from young people, from old people, from my family. They’ve flown in from New Zealand, from Kerry, and from Dublin."
* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.
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