A Gothic Castle in Ireland
The Meta CEO and his wife, Priscilla Chan, have recently purchased Strancally Castle, a 19th-century Gothic Revival mansion situated on a sprawling 440-acre estate in County Waterford, Ireland. The historic property, which sits elegantly on the banks
of the River Blackwater, was built around 1830. While the final sale price of the off-market deal has not been publicly disclosed, The Irish Times estimates its value to be in the region of €20 million to €30 million. Before the sale, the castle had been owned for 25 years by businessman Michael Alen-Buckley and his wife, who had undertaken a significant restoration of the home.
A Strategic European Base
This acquisition appears to be as much a strategic business decision as a personal one. A spokesperson for the family confirmed the purchase, stating that they are excited to care for the historic home and look forward to spending time in Ireland. This is significant because Meta maintains its international headquarters in Dublin, which is roughly a two-hour drive from the new estate. The castle will serve as a convenient and private base for Zuckerberg and his family during their visits to the country, solidifying his connection to the company's crucial European hub.
A World Away From Hawaii
The nature of the Irish castle acquisition stands in stark contrast to Zuckerberg's long-running and far more controversial land dealings in Hawaii. On the Hawaiian island of Kauai, Zuckerberg has been amassing land since 2014, with his holdings now reportedly exceeding 2,300 acres. This sprawling compound, known as Ko'olau Ranch, is a project of immense scale and secrecy, featuring everything from agricultural projects to a reported underground bunker, and has been a persistent source of local friction.
Inside the Ko'olau Ranch
The Hawaiian estate is an entirely different beast. The project includes plans for two large mansions connected by a tunnel, multiple guesthouses, and a 5,000-square-foot underground shelter, sometimes dubbed a 'doomsday bunker,' designed to be self-sufficient with its own energy and food supplies. Above ground, Zuckerberg has shared his vision for the ranch's agricultural pursuits, which include raising Wagyu and Angus cattle on a diet of macadamia meal and beer produced on the property, alongside farming ginger and turmeric. The total cost for the land and construction in Hawaii is estimated to be over $270 million.
The Controversy in Paradise
Unlike the smooth purchase in Ireland, the expansion in Kauai has been fraught with tension. A significant source of conflict arose in 2016 when Zuckerberg filed lawsuits to identify owners of small ancestral plots, known as Kuleana lands, within his estate's boundaries. This move, seen by many Native Hawaiians as an attempt to force them from their ancestral land, sparked significant public outrage and accusations of 'neo-colonialism'. The entire compound operates under a veil of secrecy, with all workers reportedly bound by strict non-disclosure agreements, further fueling mistrust within the local community.
