Zuckerberg's Irish Property Investment
Mark Zuckerberg Purchases Historic Strancally Castle Estate in County Waterford, Ireland
Key Points
Strancally Castle is a 16,000-square-foot, three-storey Gothic Revival estate built circa 1830 for Tory MP John Keily, designed by the Pain brothers, and originally included a folly tower and an inlet quay along the River Blackwater.
The previous owners, Alexander and Giancarla Buckley, stated: 'We leave our home of 25 years fondly and are grateful for the opportunity we have been given to save and restore Strancally Castle. We are delighted that Mark and his family intend to build on our stewardship by continuing to invest in maintaining and enhancing the property and grounds as their home in a sustainable manner.'
Strancally sits among a Blackwater Valley cluster of notable Irish properties, with nearby high-profile neighbors including James Dyson’s Ballynatray House (bought for about €29 million in 2024), as well as Lismore Castle and Salterbridge House in the vicinity.
Meta’s Ireland footprint extends beyond the Dublin HQ: the company employs about 1,500 people across three Irish locations and operates a VR/AR business in Cork along with a data centre in Clonee, Co Meath.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has purchased Strancally Castle, a Gothic Revival estate in County Waterford, Ireland, for an estimated €20 million to €30 million Perth Now. The 16,000-square-foot, three-story castle sits on 440 acres along the River Blackwater, built around 1830, and the Zuckerbergs plan to use it as a personal residence during visits to Ireland while maintaining its heritage status.
A Castle Built for 19th-Century Power
Strancally Castle was constructed circa 1830 for Tory MP John Keily and designed by the renowned Pain brothers Canberra Times. The original estate featured a folly tower and an inlet quay along the River Blackwater near Youghal. The property underwent a two-decade restoration before the sale, with previous owners Alexander and Giancarla Buckley confirming the transaction after 25 years of stewardship.
Zuckerberg Joins Ireland's Elite Property Cluster
The castle sits in an exclusive neighborhood along the Blackwater Valley Ulladulla Times. Nearby high-profile properties include James Dyson's Ballynatray House, purchased for approximately €29 million in 2024, as well as Lismore Castle and Salterbridge House. Zuckerberg's acquisition reflects a growing trend of billionaire investment in Ireland's heritage estates.
Meta's Deep Roots Across Ireland Expand
Meta already maintains a significant presence in Ireland beyond its Dublin European headquarters Blue Mountains Gazette. The company employs approximately 1,500 people across three Irish locations, operates a VR and AR business in Cork, and runs a data center in Clonee, County Meath. Zuckerberg's personal property investment signals confidence in Ireland as both a business and personal destination.
Buckley Family Expresses Hope for Sustainable Future
The previous owners released a statement expressing confidence in the new custodians Newcastle Herald: "We are delighted that Mark and his family intend to build on our stewardship by continuing to invest in maintaining and enhancing the property and grounds as their home in a sustainable manner." The off-market deal details remain private, but multiple sources confirm the acquisition and intended use.
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