Mark Zuckerberg Buys Strancally Castle in County Waterford

Meta Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg has purchased Strancally Castle in County Waterford, Ireland, according to statements confirmed to RTÉ by a company spokesperson. The transaction places the 440-acre historic estate into the hands of the billionaire technology executive, who maintains international corporate headquarters for Meta in Dublin.

While Zuckerberg and his family will continue to reside primarily in the United States, it is understood that the estate will be used when carrying out Meta business in Ireland.

Estate Specifications and Regional Footprint in Ireland

Built in 1827 for former UK Tory MP John Kiely, Strancally Castle sits on the banks of the River Blackwater. The three-storey cut-stone property encompasses approximately 16,000 square feet and was owned for more than two decades by the Alen-Buckley family, including Michael Alen-Buckley, co-founder of the London-based private investment firm RAB Capital. Substantial refurbishments by previous owners modernized the estate while preserving its historical architectural integrity within County Waterford’s Blackwater Valley.

Meta maintains a deep operational presence in Ireland. Facebook initially established its international headquarters in Dublin in 2009. The social media giant currently employs approximately 1,500 people across the country, encompassing its Reality Labs virtual reality and augmented reality division in Cork alongside a major data centre located in Clonee, County Meath.

Strategic Asset Management and the Blackwater Valley Enclave

Strancally Castle sits approximately 20km north of Youghal in County Cork and joins a dense concentration of high-value historic properties along the Blackwater Valley. Neighboring estates include Ballynatray House—purchased two years ago by inventor and entrepreneur James Dyson—alongside Lismore Castle, Cappoquin House, and Salterbridge House.