Mark Zuckerberg Buys Strancally Castle Estate in County Waterford, Ireland

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, have purchased the Gothic-revival Strancally Castle and its 440-acre County Waterford estate in Ireland for an estimated $23 million to $35 million, intending to use the historic property as a personal base during visits to the region.

Mark Zuckerberg is adding a 190-year-old Irish estate to a real estate portfolio that already spans California, Hawaii, Lake Tahoe, and Miami. The Meta chief executive and his wife completed the off-market purchase of Strancally Castle and its sprawling 178-hectare grounds on the banks of the River Blackwater several weeks ago.

While the exact purchase price remains officially undisclosed on the Property Price Register, The Irish Times estimated the valuation between €20 million and €30 million, roughly equating to $23 million to $35 million. That figure amounts to approximately 10% of the cost of Zuckerberg’s 387-foot superyacht.

A Century-Spanning Estate on the River Blackwater

Perched above the water in County Waterford, Strancally Castle was originally built in 1830 for John Keily, a former Conservative Member of Parliament. The property was designed by architects James and George Richard Pain, who also designed Dromoland Castle in County Clare, Cork County Gaol, and Blackrock Castle. The National Built Heritage Service of Ireland notes that the structure’s sandstone and limestone ashlar masonry augments its composition while demonstrating high-quality stone craftsmanship.

The three-story Gothic-revival mansion spans roughly 16,000 square feet, alongside a matching stone folly and a private river inlet quay. The scale of the historic home is famously vast; according to Brian De Breffney and Rosemary Ffolliott’s book The Houses of Ireland, the layout required a brisk walk of 4.5 minutes just to reach the dining room from the kitchen.

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows A Zuckerberg spokesperson said the family is “excited to continue caring — Photo: New York Post

The estate changed hands 25 years ago when Michael Alen-Buckley—co-founder of the London-based private investment firm RAB Capital—and his wife, Giancarla, acquired the property and carried out an extensive, decades-long restoration.

“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. We wish them and their family much happiness in this unique and blessed place.”

Michael and Giancarla Alen-Buckley, via The Irish Times

Proximity to Meta Operations and Tech Tycoon Neighbors

Zuckerberg and Chan plan to maintain their primary residence in Palo Alto, California, utilizing the Irish castle as a private landing pad when conducting business in the country. Meta maintains its international headquarters in Dublin, alongside offices and a data center in Clonee, County Meath. The company employs roughly 1,500 people across its operations in Ireland.

Strancally Castle in Co Waterford now belongs to Meta owner Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan — Photo: The Irish Times

Strancally Castle sits within a valley that has increasingly drawn billionaire tech founders. The property is located near Ballynatray House, which Dyson founder James Dyson acquired for about €29 million in 2024, as well as Lismore Castle and Salterbridge House, owned by property magnate Stephen Vernon. Farther north, Stripe co-founder John Collison purchased the 1,100-acre Abbey Leix estate in County Laois back in 2021, cementing Zuckerberg as at least the third prominent technology leader to plant roots in Irish country estates within a five-year span.

Market Demand and Local Context

The high-profile sale underscores a broader, enduring international appetite for historic Irish properties. Josh Pim, an associate director on Savills’ residential and country agency team, noted the romantic and architecturally significant appeal that these estates hold for buyers, extending well beyond American markets into a wider global tier of investors. Helen Cassidy, an auctioneer specializing in castles, added that there is a very real thirst for castle ownership among clients drawn to the unique heritage of specific properties.

Mark Zuckerberg buys 200-year-old Gothic-style Irish castle with wife Priscilla #shorts #usa

Reports surrounding Zuckerberg’s extensive property acquisitions in California noted resident complaints regarding years of construction activity and blocked driveways surrounding his Palo Alto home base. In Ireland, however, the immediate transition has been marked by formal handoffs from the Alen-Buckley family and confirmation that ongoing sustainable maintenance will govern the historic estate’s next chapter.