Emotional Jessie Buckley Hails Homecoming as Honorable Moment at Award Ceremony

An emotional Jessie Buckleyshe mentioned that the past year had been a "roller-coaster" as she was announced as the winner in the lead actress in a film category at the Irish Film and Television Academy Awards (Iftas) on Friday.

She was honored with the award for her depiction of William Shakespeare's wife in Hamnet, for which she has also received a nomination for anOscar and a Bafta.

Receiving the award, she stated, “It's truly a great privilege to be back home and share this with you, mainly because when I was growing up in Ireland, the essence of storytelling, music, and art is part of daily life, it's a way of connecting with others.”

She also expressed her gratitude to her co-star,Paul Mescal, who portrays the Bard, says: "I know everyone is tired of me expressing how much I adore him. I love him."

He received the title of best supporting actor in a movie for Hamnet but did not attend the event to claim his award.

Hamnet was awarded the international film and screenplay honors.

Channel 4's drama "Trespasses" was also a major success, winning awards for best drama script, hair and makeup, and lead actress in a drama.

Set in 1970s Northern Ireland, Lola Petticrew portrays a young Catholic educator named Cushla who develops feelings for a married Protestant man.

Accepting her award, Petticrew thanked her late uncle Gerard, who was her "biggest supporter," a Dublin dry cleaner who assisted her during "a difficult time" and "the children from West Belfast."

She stated, "I'm not under any illusion that much of why I'm here is due to luck," and added, "The system isn't set up for kids from where I come from to even survive, let alone succeed."

One out of every three children in West Belfast resides in poverty. This is the result of conflict.

She remarked, "they are entitled to far more."

Another focus was on aiding disadvantaged children, as highlighted by the filmmakers of Christy.

A coming-of-age movie follows the journey of two separated brothers in Cork as they deal with the foster care system.

Nominated across 14 categories, it won several of the evening's most prestigious honors such as best film, casting, editing, and film director, awarded to Brendan Canty.

Picking up the trophy, he observed that the awards ceremony was scheduled for 2026 Care Day, a day dedicated to showcasing the experiences of children and young people in care.

He urged the government to take additional steps to support individuals within the care system.

Christy was part of a significant group of Cork applicants, and Cork native Eanna Hardwicke was among the victors when he won the prize for best actor in a leading role for his portrayal of Roy Keane in Saipan.

Could not attend the event, Hardwicke's co-starSteve Cooganpicked up the trophy for him.

Ciaran Hinds received the lifetime achievement honor from the Irish Academy, recognizing his significant impact on both the Irish and global screen industries through his work in film and television.

Accepting the award, he remarked, "It's been a long journey in this field or industry, profession, whatever you prefer to call it."

And I have been exceptionally fortunate to collaborate with numerous brilliant, imaginative, and skilled individuals, kind, open-minded, and compassionate people, both here in my own country and abroad, both in front of and behind the camera.

Emerging talent and actress from Derry Girls, Louisa Harland, expressed she was "in awe" of "everyone in the room".

She said, "I am extremely fortunate to be involved in this field, particularly in Ireland, which holds immense significance for me."

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