Mark Zuckerberg buys 440-acre Strancally Castle estate in Ireland

Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, have bought the 440-acre Strancally Castle estate in County Waterford, Ireland, according to reports by The Guardian and The Irish Times.

The historic Gothic-style mansion is expected to serve as a base for the couple and their family when they visit Ireland. Meta has its international headquarters in the country.

A Meta spokesperson said Zuckerberg and his family were excited about spending time in Ireland while preserving the heritage of the historic property. The privately negotiated purchase price has not been disclosed, but reports have estimated the deal at between €20 million and €30 million.

Historic Strancally Castle

Strancally Castle was built in 1830 for then Conservative MP John Keily and was designed by renowned architects James and George Richard Pain.

The imposing mansion is known for its vast proportions. According to The Guardian, it takes almost five minutes to walk from the dining room to the kitchen.

The property was bought and restored in the early 2000s by Michael Alen-Buckley, co-founder of London-based investment firm RAB Capital, and his wife, Giancarla Buckley. After about 25 years, the estate has now changed hands again, with the Zuckerberg family becoming its new owners.

Zuckerberg’s latest Irish property

Strancally Castle is located in the scenic Blackwater Valley, an area renowned for its landscapes, tourism and architectural heritage.

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The purchase adds another high-profile technology billionaire to the list of wealthy individuals with major property interests in Ireland. Zuckerberg had previously expressed interest in buying the Castlemartin estate, but its owner, US billionaire John Malone, declined to sell it.

For Zuckerberg and Chan, the Strancally estate will provide a private base during visits to Ireland while also giving the couple the opportunity to preserve and maintain one of the country’s notable historic properties.