Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg, his wife buy historic Irish castle

Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, have purchased a historic castle in Ireland, with the billionaire’s spokesperson saying the family is “excited” about their new property.

Zuckerberg acquired the three-storey Gothic-style Strancally Castle from the Alen-Buckley family in an off-market deal completed in recent weeks, Caliber.Az reports, citing French media.

"Mark and his family are excited to continue caring for this historic home and look forward to spending time in Ireland, where Meta maintains its international headquarters," the spokesperson noted.

Built in 1827 for an English politician, Strancally Castle is a three-storey Gothic Revival residence constructed from cut stone in County Waterford, around 150 kilometres (93 miles) southwest of Dublin.

The amount Zuckerberg paid for the property has not been disclosed.

The castle underwent extensive renovations over the past two decades under its previous owners. Michael Alen-Buckley is a co-founder of London-based private investment company RAB Capital.

Meta employs around 1,500 people in Ireland, where Dublin serves as the company’s international headquarters.

The company also operates a virtual and augmented reality business in Cork and a data centre outside Dublin.

Zuckerberg and his family will continue to reside in the United States and are expected to use the Irish property during visits connected to Meta’s operations in the country.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov