Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan Buy Waterford Castle for €51.17 Million

Dublin: Meta chief executive and co-founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, have purchased Strangely Castle in Knockanore, Co Waterford, for €51.17 million, according to newly released figures from the Residential Property Price Register. The transaction was completed on August 17.

The purchase includes the Gothic-style mansion and its surrounding 178-hectare (440-acre) estate. The price is estimated to be €20 million to €30 million higher than previously reported, making it the highest price paid for a residential property in Ireland this year.

Zuckerberg and his family are expected to use the Waterford property when visiting Ireland for business related to Meta.

Designed by architects James and George Richard Pain, the castle was built in 1830 for former Conservative MP John Cayley. The property is currently owned by Michael Alan Buckley, co-founder of London-based private investment firm RAB Capital, and his wife, Giancarla.

The couple acquired Strangely Castle around 25 years ago and undertook extensive renovations to the 16,000-square-foot, three-storey mansion.

A spokesperson said Zuckerberg and his family were excited about preserving the historic property and that he looked forward to spending time in Ireland, where Meta has its international headquarters.

Labour councillor John Pratt said Zuckerberg’s arrival could bring further attention and appeal to the area.

“I’m sure people will do everything they can to welcome Zuckerberg and his family to this beautiful place,” he said.

Zuckerberg founded Facebook in 2004, aged 19, initially developing the platform to connect students through their names and photographs. The company went public in 2012. Zuckerberg, now 42, owns approximately 13 per cent of Meta’s shares.

Facebook opened its international headquarters in Dublin in 2009. Meta, which also owns WhatsApp and Instagram, currently employs around 1,500 people in Ireland and has a market capitalisation of approximately $1.85 trillion.

In a gesture to the local community, Zuckerberg and Chan donated €150,000 to three GAA clubs near Strangely Castle in Co Waterford. Knockanore, Shamrock and Tallow and Lismore clubs each received €50,000.

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