Ireland watches closely as 29 US states sue Meta for exploiting children

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan have acquired Strancally Castle, a Gothic-style mansion in Ireland, for approximately $35 million, according to recent reports. The historic estate spans 178 hectares (440 acres) in County Waterford and will function as their base when they visit the country. The castle's purchase also ties into Meta's presence in Ireland, where the company maintains its international headquarters.

The castle, built in 1830 for John Keily, a former Conservative MP, was designed by architects James and George Richard Pain. Its construction, featuring sandstone and limestone ashlar, underscores the high-quality masonry and craftsmanship evident in the property. Strancally Castle was later bought and renovated in the early 2000s by Michael Alen-Buckley and his wife Giancarla, co-founders of investment firm RAB Capital.

Zuckerberg and Chan will utilize the castle as their home when they travel to Ireland. A Meta spokesperson expressed Zuckerberg's family's enthusiasm to maintain the historic property and spend time in the country where Meta's international headquarters are based. The exact cost of the castle was not disclosed, but The Irish Times estimated its value between €20 million and €30 million.