“I’m so, so proud of her, it’s just beautiful to see somebody like that. She’s my sister but she’s such a kind person and she’s a real person.”
Jessie Buckley’s brother, Killian, has said he does not think an Oscar win will change his older sister, who he described as someone who is “more likely to be in the garden covered in muck than walking down a high street”.
She made history by becoming the first Irish woman to win Best Actress for her role in Hamnet, at the Academy Awards in Hollywood.
Mr Buckley said the win may change some aspects of her life, but added that “at her heart she’s incredibly, incredibly good at being herself.”
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, he said it was inspiring to see his sister win last night.
He said she is a real person and “it’s great to see someone like that represent me, Ireland and the world”.
Jessie is “as good a sister as you could hope for”, Killian added, and would always pick up the phone and check in.
“When we were growing up, we used to go from putting plays together, to running around trying to fight each other. But as we got older we’ve gotten incredibly close.”
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He described how he and Jessie used to put on plays for their family in their living room and charge their parents to come and see them.
At the time it seemed like a high price for them to pay, but I think it was good now, he said.
Jessie Buckley’s uncle and godfather has said seeing her win the Best Actress Oscar for Hamnet is “indescribable”, calling her achievement “absolutely extraordinary”.
“We are so, so proud of you. Well, well done, Jess,” Sean Buckley told RTÉ moments after her win.
Around 60 family members and close friends joined Sean and his family at the Arbutus Hotel in Killarney to celebrate Jessie’s success last night and into the early hours of Monday morning.
“You’ve flown the flag for Kerry, for Ireland, for women, for everybody,” he said. “You are extraordinary. Thank you for what you have done.”
Sean said he was “absolutely” relieved when Jessie was named the winner in the Best Actress category.
“I think it’s challenging in that, for us, there’s no weight with family. You love them so much always,” he said. “But when there’s so much external narrative, and people are talking about it, that’s when you feel the hype building.
Jessie Buckley with her Best Actress Oscar
“Win, lose or draw, Jessie, we love you, and whatever happened, we would still love you, and we would still be the proudest people in the world.
“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. That was all going to be the same. But it’s just the icing on the cake for her and for her family.
“It was lovely that Tim and Marina (Jessie Buckley’s parents) and the gang were all there for her in the audience, and her little bit of Irish at the end.
“To be recognised by the Academy, they are now her peers. She has been given the opportunity to express and tell a story through Hamnet, and the whole thing was just absolutely extraordinary.”
He added: “As a parent, grandparent, godparent and uncle, to see your child flourish, be in their element, be given the opportunity and then grasp it, it’s just incredible.
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“To be able to share it with all of our family and friends, and to have this intimate night with all of the people who have been on the journey with us for almost 20 years, has just been so special.
“This is Jessie’s nana’s home. We were literally just in there FaceTiming our family. This is the Buckley family home.
“One hundred years ago, Tim and Julia Buckley set up the Arbutus Hotel. Imagine what they would think of this. They had dreams, and that has passed through the generations: don’t be afraid to dream, don’t be afraid to go for big, audacious goals. Do not underestimate yourself. You are capable.”
Jessie’s cousin Emer said the family were hugely proud to see her representing both Ireland and Kerry on such a major 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,” Emer said.
“This is a whirlwind of an industry and a whirlwind of a world, and she has stayed true to her roots and who she is. We just couldn’t love her any more. She’s phenomenal and we’re just so proud.”
Emer’s sister RóisÃn described Jessie as “the most open person”.
“She’s interesting, she’s articulate,” she said. “You could talk to Jessie about anything and there would be no judgement.
“In Hamnet, it felt like she wasn’t acting. It was like she was walking around the woods around Killarney, gathering bits and bobs to make her own potion. What you see is what you get. She’s just fantastic.”