Jessie Buckley wins Best Actress at the Academy Awards

Jessie Buckley has won the Oscar for Best Actress at the 98th Academy Awards, becoming the first Irish actress to receive the award.

Her portrayal of Agnes Shakespeare in Hamnet has earned her Hollywood's top honour. Hamnet is based on Co. Derry author Maggie O'Farrell's novel of the same name.

The Killarney native appeared overjoyed as she accepted the award.

"This is really something," Buckley laughed.

"My Irish family, they're all here. Ireland bought them flights...Mom, Dad, thank you for teaching us to dream."

Directed by Chloé Zhao and co-starring Paul Mescal, Hamnet was nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Picture. Buckley brought Hamnet its singular award of the night.

Buckley was previously nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the Oscars in 2022 for her role in The Lost Daughter. This is her first Academy Award win.

"Fred, I love you, man," Buckley said, addressing her husband Freddie Sorensen. "I want to have 20,000 more babies with you."

She gave thanks to her eight-month-old daughter, saying, "I can't wait to discover life beside you."

Buckley's raw portrayal of a grieving mother led her to sweep the awards circuit this season.

"It's Mothers' Day in the UK today, so I would like to dedicate this to the beautiful chaos of a mother's heart," Buckley said.

"We all come from a lineage of women who continue to create against all odds."