Zuckerberg adds historic Irish castle to growing property portfolio

Wealthy Americans who have long favoured luxury mansions in California and penthouses in New York are increasingly adding historic properties overseas to their real-estate portfolios. Among them is Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who has bought a 196-year-old Gothic Revival castle in Ireland with his wife, Priscilla Chan.

The couple recently purchased Strancally Castle in County Waterford, a 19th-century Gothic-style mansion overlooking the River Blackwater in southeastern Ireland.

Built in 1830, the three-story property underwent extensive renovations in 2003. It reportedly includes 11 main bedrooms, a cut-stone Gothic Revival facade and about 16,000 square feet of living space. The estate extends across 440 acres of landscaped grounds and green lawns.

The purchase price was not recorded on Ireland’s state property price register. The Irish Times has estimated the property could be worth between €20 million (about $23.3 million) and €30 million (roughly $35 million).

The acquisition may have a practical dimension as well as a luxury appeal. Meta’s international headquarters are located in Dublin, about 125 miles from Strancally Castle. Although Zuckerberg and his family are not expected to live in Ireland full time, the estate is set to provide them with a European base.

The Waterford City and County Council, meanwhile, highlighted the region’s rugged coastline and picturesque towns when asked about the billionaire’s purchase.

“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,” Brian Baker, a spokesperson for Zuckerberg, told Fortune.

Zuckerberg is far from the only wealthy American to acquire a home in Europe.

In 2019, hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin paid $122 million for a Georgian mansion near Buckingham Palace, at the time the most expensive property sale in London in more than a decade. The 16,000-square-foot residence at 3 Carlton Gardens includes a spa and indoor swimming pool and has a notable history: it previously served as the wartime headquarters of Charles de Gaulle.

Other ultrawealthy Americans, including George Clooney, Tom Ford and former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, have also added European properties to their portfolios.

The trend extends beyond high-profile billionaires and celebrities, with increasing numbers of wealthy Americans looking toward the U.K. housing market. Some buyers are seeking greater stability as the United States faces a combination of rising living costs, political polarization and economic uncertainty.

London's luxury property market has seen a particularly sharp increase in transactions at the top end this year. According to luxury real-estate firm Beauchamp Estates, sales of properties worth more than £15 million ($20 million) surged in the first half of 2026, with American buyers playing a major role.

An estimated £1.24 billion ($1.66 billion) worth of property changed hands in 34 deals between January and June 2026, compared with £694.1 million ($928 million) across 27 properties during the same period in 2025.

Americans accounted for 30% of all London home sales above $20 million in the first half of 2026, up from 20% at the end of 2025. Their growing presence helped drive a £546 million ($730 million) increase in the value of such transactions in just six months.

By Tamilla Hasanova