Mark Zuckerberg Acquires Strancally Castle in Ireland

Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan purchase Strancally Castle and its estate in Ireland for around €20 million, signaling their commitment to the region.

Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, have added an impressive property to their portfolio: Strancally Castle in Waterford, Ireland. The couple acquired the sprawling gothic-style mansion, built in 1830, along with its surrounding 178 hectares (440 acres) for an estimated €20 million, according to reports.

This means Zuckerberg has secured a unique space to use as a base during their visits to Ireland, where Meta has its international headquarters. A spokesperson for the family shared that they are excited to preserve this historic home and look forward to spending time in the country.

The acquisition was part of an off-market deal, though the final purchase price remains undisclosed. However, the Irish Times estimates that it could fall between €20 million and €30 million. This figure is about 10% of the cost of Zuckerberg’s superyacht, which is a staggering 387 feet long.

Strancally Castle, initially constructed for John Keily, a former Conservative MP, showcases the work of architects James and George Richard Pain. The design is characterized by its lavish scale; a nearby source describes the lengthy walk from the dining room to the kitchen as taking ‘four and a half minutes.’

This historic property, which has been renovated and maintained over the years, was previously owned by Michael Alen-Buckley, co-founder of RAB Capital, and his wife, Giancarla, whose family is connected to the Rocco Forte Hotels group. The couple expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to restore the castle during their 25 years of ownership.

In a statement, they shared, “We leave our home of 25 years fondly and are grateful for the opportunity we have been given to save and restore Strancally Castle.” They expressed delight at Zuckerberg and Chan’s intention to continue enhancing and caring for the estate sustainably.

Strancally Castle is not the only significant estate in the Blackwater valley of Ireland. It joins the ranks of other historic estates in the region, including Ballynatray House, which was purchased by entrepreneur James Dyson in 2024, and Abbey Leix, acquired by John Collison, co-founder of Stripe, in 2021.

With this latest purchase, Zuckerberg’s investment in Ireland illustrates not only his personal interests but also highlights Meta’s strong presence in the country. As they take on this historic residence, it will be interesting to see how they choose to integrate into the local community while preserving its legacy.