It stretches the definition of pied-à-terre, but Mark Zuckerberg now has a pad in Ireland: Strancally castle. The Meta chief executive and his wife, Priscilla Chan, have acquired the gothic-style mansion and its 178-hectare (440-acre) estate in county Waterford, presumably to use as a base during visits to Ireland - because why stay in a hotel when you can own a castle?

The price paid in the off-market deal remains a mystery, but the Irish Times, which first reported the sale, estimates a value between €20m (£17m) and €30m. That's roughly 10% of the cost of his 387ft superyacht, so it's practically a bargain - if you're a tech billionaire.

Built in 1830 for John Keily, a former Conservative MP, the castle was designed by architects James and George Richard Pain on a lavish scale. According to The Houses of Ireland, it takes a 'brisk walk of four and a half minutes' to go from the dining room to the kitchen. Clearly, the Pains believed in the benefits of exercise before meals.

Previous owners Michael Alen-Buckley, co-founder of RAB Capital, and his wife Giancarla, a scion of the Rocco Forte Hotels family, renovated the estate in the early 2000s and have now passed the torch. 'We leave our home of 25 years fondly and are grateful for the opportunity we have been given to save and restore Strancally castle,' the couple said, adding they are 'delighted' that the Zuckerbergs intend to continue their stewardship 'in a sustainable manner.'

Even the Irish state's heritage agency, the National Built Heritage Service, offers a backhanded compliment, noting that 'the construction in sandstone and limestone ashlar augments the dour tone of the composition while providing evidence of high quality stone masonry and craftsmanship.' Translation: It's grim but well-built.

Zuckerberg isn't the only tech titan to snap up Irish estates. James Dyson bought Ballynatray House in the Blackwater valley in 2024, and John Collison, co-founder of Stripe, acquired Abbey Leix in County Laois in 2021. It seems Ireland's historic homes are becoming the latest must-have accessory for the ultra-wealthy. A spokesperson for Zuckerberg confirmed the family is 'excited to continue caring for this historic home' and looks forward to spending time in Ireland, where Meta maintains its international headquarters. Because nothing says 'caring for historic homes' like a tech mogul buying one on a whim.