Mark Zuckerberg Buys Historic Strancally Castle Estate in Ireland
- Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, have purchased Strancally Castle, a historic 19th-century gothic-style mansion and 440-acre estate in County Waterford, Ireland.
- Built around 1830, Strancally Castle overlooks the River Blackwater and spans 16,000 square feet across three stories of cut stone.
- According to the National Built Heritage Service—an Irish state agency dedicated to preserving architectural heritage—the limestone ashlar and sandstone building work intensifies the composition's solemn atmosphere while demonstrating...
Meta Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg Buys Historic 440-Acre Irish Estate
Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, have purchased Strancally Castle, a historic 19th-century gothic-style mansion and 440-acre estate in County Waterford, Ireland. The off-market transaction places the sprawling riverfront property in the tech billionaire’s portfolio to serve as a base during visits to Ireland, where Meta maintains its international headquarters. Public records did not list the sale, but estimates from the Irish Times place the property’s value between €20m (£17m) and €30m.
A Century-Old Architectural Landmark on the River Blackwater
Built around 1830, Strancally Castle overlooks the River Blackwater and spans 16,000 square feet across three stories of cut stone. Architects James and George Richard Pain designed the lavish property for John Keily, a former Conservative MP and English Tory politician. According to the book The Houses of Ireland by Brian De Breffney and Rosemary Ffolliott, the castle was constructed on such a grand scale that it required a brisk walk of four and a half minutes to travel from the dining room to the kitchen.
According to the National Built Heritage Service—an Irish state agency dedicated to preserving architectural heritage—the limestone ashlar and sandstone building work intensifies the composition’s solemn atmosphere while demonstrating exceptional stonemasonry and craftsmanship.
Decades of Restoration Precede the Tech Billionaire’s Takeover
Michael Alen-Buckley, co-founder of the London investment company RAB Capital, spent the last 25 years extensively restoring the property alongside his wife, Giancarla, who belongs to the family that established Rocco Forte Hotels.
“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 spokesperson told The Guardian. Brian Baker, a spokesperson for Zuckerberg, confirmed the purchase to the New York Post, noting the transaction closed in recent weeks.
As shared in a statement featured by The Guardian, the former owners expressed appreciation for the period they spent restoring the estate, stating they are thrilled that Mark and his family plan to build upon their custodianship by steadily investing to maintain and improve the house and grounds sustainably as their residence.
Zuckerberg and Chan are expected to continue living primarily in the United States while utilizing the Irish estate during travels.
Expanding Tech Royalty Roots in the Irish Countryside
The acquisition places Zuckerberg’s new Irish residence approximately 125 miles from Meta’s international headquarters in Dublin, where the company employs roughly 1,500 people and manages operations across the European Union. Meta also operates a data center outside Dublin.
The surrounding Blackwater Valley hosts several other prominent historic estates. These include Ballynatray House, which British business magnate and Dyson Company founder James Dyson purchased in 2024 for about $34 million, as well as Abbey Leix in County Laois, bought by Stripe co-founder John Collison in 2021.