It has emerged that Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan paid more than €51 million for Strancally Castle in Co Waterford in August.
The Meta chief executive and co founder purchased this property, which is said to be used by his family when carrying out Meta business in Ireland.
According to a new entry on the Residential Price Property Register, Strancally Castle at Knockanore in Waterford was sold at a price of €51,171,155, and was completed on August 17. It was sold in excess of the estimated sale price of between €20 million and €30 million when it was first reported back in August.
Following the completion of this sale, a spokesperson for Mr Zuckerberg said: "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 castle itself was first purchased in 1830 by a former Conservative MP named, John Kiely, and was designed on a grand scale by architects James and George Richard Pain. It was also previously owned by Michael Alen Buckley, who had co founded RAB Capital, a London based private investment firm, alongside his wife Giancarla, daughter of the late hotelier, Charles Forte.
Strancally Castle was purchased by the couple 25 years ago, before extensive restoration work was carried out on the three storey property, which extends to 16,000sq/ft.
Speaking about the sale, the Cathaoirleach of Dungarvan and Lismore Municipal Committee and Labour Councillor, John Pratt who lives in Tallow, said that he hopes Mark Zuckerberg and his family 's arrival will help to shine a light on the area's attractions.
"I think it’s great news for the area. I’m sure that people will do everything they can to make Mr Zuckerberg and his family feel welcome to our beautiful community", he said. (All quotes according to RTÉ).
News of this comes after it was also revealed last week, that Mr Zuckerberg and his wife Ms Chan had donated €150,000 to three GAA clubs located close to Strancally Castle in Co Waterford. Each club, which included Lismore GAA, Tallow GAA and Knokanmore, is to receive €50,000 each.
These donations are to paid over a two year period, with each club receiving €25,000 per year.
According to Forbes, Mark Zuckerberg who started Facebook in 2004, is currently worth an estimate $248.7 billion.
