Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has bought Strancally Castle in Waterford, Ireland. The historic estate covers 440 acres near the River Blackwater.
Mark Zuckerberg Buys Strancally Castle
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is the new owner of a historic castle in County Waterford, Ireland. The billionaire bought Strancally Castle, a stunning estate near the River Blackwater.
A spokesperson for Zuckerberg confirmed the purchase to RTÉ.
“Mark and his family are excited to continue caring for this historic home,” the spokesperson said.
The family also looks forward to spending more time in Ireland.
The Castle Is a Historic Irish Gem
Strancally Castle sits on an estate covering about 440 acres. The property has around 16,000 square feet of living space.
The three-storey house was built in 1827 for John Kiely, a former UK Tory MP. It features a Gothic Revival design and overlooks the River Blackwater.
Interestingly, the current castle is not the original Strancally Castle. The ruins of the older castle sit about 4.5km away. The Desmond family once used the original site as a fortification.
Zuckerberg Could Use It During Meta Trips
Despite the purchase, Zuckerberg and his family will continue living in the United States. However, they are expected to use the castle during Meta business trips to Ireland.
That move makes sense because Ireland plays a major role in Meta’s global operations. Meta opened its international headquarters in Dublin in 2009. The company now employs about 1,500 people in Ireland.
Meta also has Reality Labs operations in Cork and a data centre in Clonee, County Meath.
A Luxury Estate With Deep History
Strancally Castle was previously owned by the Alen-Buckley family for over 20 years. Michael Alen-Buckley co-founded London-based investment firm RAB Capital.
The property also sits near several famous historic estates. These include Lismore Castle, Ballynatray House, Cappoquin House and Salterbridge House.
With its huge grounds and rich history, Strancally Castle is certainly a major addition to Zuckerberg’s property portfolio.
