Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg buys Co Waterford castle

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has acquired Strancally Castle in Co Waterford, Ireland, according to a spokesperson for the billionaire. Mark and his family are enthusiastic about continuing to care for this historic property and spending time in Ireland, where Meta's international headquarters are based. While Zuckerberg will maintain his residence in the US, the Waterford castle will be used for Meta business purposes in Ireland.

Currently employing around 1,500 people, Meta has its international headquarters in Dublin, a virtual reality business in Cork, and a data centre in Clonee, Co Meath. Strancally Castle, situated on the River Blackwater, is a three-story stone Gothic revival-style house constructed in 1827 for former UK Tory MP John Kiely. The current castle is approximately 4.5km upstream from the ruins of the original castle, built by the Desmond family.

The property, which has undergone significant refurbishment by its previous owners, spans about 16,000 sq ft across 440 acres. Previously owned by the Alen-Buckley family for over two decades, Strancally Castle is part of a cluster of historic houses and estates in the Blackwater Valley area, near Ballynatray House, Lismore Castle, Cappoquin House, and Salterbridge House. Notably, inventor and entrepreneur James Dyson recently purchased the nearby Ballynatray House.