The Taoiseach was speaking at an event in Washington DC on Monday during his visit to the US for St Patrick’s Day. Later, speaking in Irish he said her victory is a “fantastic story, especially for Killarney, for Jessie Buckley’s family and her friends”. Mr Martin also congratulated Dubliner Richard Baneham who collected his third visual effects Oscar for his work on Avatar: Fire and Ash during Sunday night’s ceremony. The Taoiseach said Baneham’s continued success is a “tremendous tribute to the further education sector in Ireland”. Mr Martin said Baneham “personifies the need to always think outside the box in terms of learning and in terms of the education provision”.

Source: The Herald March 16, 2026 20:42 UTC