At the center of attention is the gothic Strancally Castle, a historic property dating back to 1827, which carries a chilling dark legend: it is said that anyone who visits it… dies. Yet this ominous legend proved no obstacle for Mark Zuckerberg, who recently purchased the striking 19th-century structure, estimated to be worth approximately €30 million.
The impressive gothic castle in Ireland purchased by Zuckerberg
The striking castle now in the hands of the Meta chief sits above a river in County Waterford, southeastern Ireland, approximately 200 kilometers from his company’s European headquarters in Dublin.
The American billionaire acquired the Irish castle from British businessman Michael Allen-Buckley and his wife, Giancarlo. The latter is a member of the Forte family, a name long associated with the ownership and management of luxury hotels across Britain.
Strancally Castle was completed in 1827 for an English politician. Architecturally, it is a three-story stone tower overlooking the Blackwater River. According to state architectural records, the building underwent an extensive renovation in 2003.
🏰💰 O CEO da Meta, Mark Zuckerberg, comprou um castelo em estilo gótico do século XIX com vista para um rio no sudeste da Irlanda, a 200 quilômetros (125 milhas) da sede europeia de sua empresa, informou um porta-voz nesta quinta-feira (20/8). Imagens de drone captadas na… pic.twitter.com/TcH3eTsFu0
— Brasil Conservador®️🇧🇷🇺🇸🇮🇱100%SDV (@MachadoDarlon) August 20, 2026
The castle is estimated to be worth approximately €30 million
The financial details of the deal have not been registered in Ireland’s official Property Price Register. However, the Irish Times, which first broke the story, estimates the property’s value at between €20 and €30 million.
A spokesperson for Zuckerberg stated that the Meta chairman and his family are “excited to continue caring for this historic home and look forward to spending time in Ireland.”
Mark Zuckerberg and his Wife Priscilla Chan have Purchased Strancally Castle Ireland.
The Meta CEO and Facebook founder reportedly acquired the roughly 440-acre property, located north of Youghal along the River Blackwater, in a multi-million-euro transaction estimated at… pic.twitter.com/jGmZNoGWO3
— SnDMedia (@SnDMediaNews) August 20, 2026
The macabre history of the castle
The Meta CEO’s newest acquisition comes steeped in dark stories that blur the line between history and legend. Local traditions surrounding the castle include particularly sinister tales that continue to send shivers down the spine.
English author William Howitt, who died in 1879, once wrote of a grim tradition linking the area to criminal acts from its past. According to his accounts, the castle may have been connected to the so-called Desmond Castles — medieval fortresses used by the Earls of Desmond in Ireland.
Howitt described, in vivid and dramatic terms, stories in which unsuspecting visitors could be lured inside the castle, trapped, and murdered. While these stories form part of local folklore rather than verified historical fact, they add a mysterious and haunting dimension to the Meta founder’s latest real estate acquisition.
