Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and wife Priscilla Chan have bought Strancally Castle, a Gothic-style mansion in Ireland, for an estimated $35 million, according to reports. The historic property sits on a 178-hectare (440-acre) estate in County Waterford and will serve as a base for the couple when they visit Ireland. The purchase also has a connection to Meta, which maintains its international headquarters in Ireland. A Meta spokesperson said Mark Zuckerberg and his family are looking forward to caring for the historic property and spending time in the country.The exact amount paid for the castle has not been made public. The Irish Times estimated its value at between €20 million and €30 million.
Mark Zuckerberg’s Ireland home
Strancally Castle was built in 1830 for John Keily, a former Conservative MP. Architects James and George Richard Pain designed the property on a large scale. The castle is part of a 440-acre estate in County Waterford. According to the book The Houses of Ireland, the size of the property was such that it once took a few minutes to walk from the dining room to the kitchen.The property was bought and renovated in the early 2000s by Michael Alen-Buckley, co-founder of investment firm RAB Capital, and his wife, Giancarla. The couple said they were pleased that Zuckerberg and his family planned to continue maintaining the property.
Why Mark Zuckerberg bought the castle
Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan are expected to use Strancally Castle as their base when visiting Ireland. The purchase also comes as Meta maintains its international headquarters in Ireland, making the country an important location for the company.“Mark and his family are excited to continue caring for this historic home and look forward to spending time in Ireland, where Meta maintains its international headquarters,” a Meta spokesperson said.Strancally Castle is located in the Blackwater Valley, an area known for historic estates. The National Built Heritage Service, an Irish state agency, describes the castle as having sandstone and limestone construction and highlights its stonework and craftsmanship.The area is also home to other properties owned by wealthy business figures. Entrepreneur James Dyson bought Ballynatray House in 2024, while Stripe co-founder John Collison bought Abbey Leix in County Laois in 2021.