From Zuckerberg to Irons - why do the wealthy buy Irish castles?

From Mark Zuckerberg to Jeremy Irons, a number of affluent individuals have acquired Irish castles. This trend has resurfaced following Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg's recent purchase of Strancally Castle in County Waterford. He joins a list of notable figures, including Jeremy Irons, Christy Cashman, and billionaire John Malone, who have bought Irish castles in recent decades.

For Zuckerberg, a practical consideration is likely Meta's international headquarters being located in Ireland. A spokesperson for Zuckerberg stated, "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."

Ireland is home to thousands of castles, and many have attracted wealthy owners. Oscar-winning actor Jeremy Irons owns Kilcoe Castle in County Cork, which he began renovating in the late 1990s after growing tired of acting. American billionaire John Malone possesses Castlemartin House and Estate in County Kildare, while author and filmmaker Christy Cashman owns Kilkea Castle, also in County Kildare. Glin Castle in County Limerick is owned by Catherine FitzGerald, whose husband is actor Dominic West.

Dr. Colin Breen, an Ulster University academic specializing in archaeology and landscape management, explains that castles have been present in Ireland since the 12th century. Their emergence was primarily due to the arrival of the Anglo-Normans, who seized most of the island's land. Breen noted, "The key to their success was castles," leading to a "radical shift" in Irish architecture. Castles were built to "protect and consolidate their new colonial lands," serving to "intimidate" and express "power and presence."

Dr. Breen suggests that "big Americans" have been "buying into the idealistic Irish past" since the 20th century. This sentiment echoes the Fontaines D.C. lyric, "Maybe romance is a place." While the band wasn't singing about this specific trend, the line is fitting. Breen stated, "Mark Zuckerberg is following a trend that we've seen for years, he's buying into this romantic idea." He added, "They're buying up these places to create a romantic party pad so they can fly their billionaire friends in for the weekend. They're buying to a romantic notion of what Ireland was, not necessarily what Ireland is."

Josh Pim, an associate director on Savills' residential and country agency team, also highlighted the "romantic" aspect of Irish castle sales. He noted, "There's a romantic side - Americans don't have to go back too far to find a piece of Irish heritage." He also pointed to the "rarity and architectural significance and history to these castles." However, Pim clarified that the market extends beyond the US, with interest from the "wider international market as well."

Helen Cassidy, an auctioneer specializing in castle sales, confirmed a "very real thirst for the ownership of an Irish castle" globally. She mentioned that some American buyers are "ignited by the history and heritage of a particular property," adding, "There is something about an Irish castle that, once it gets under the skin, is rather difficult to resist."

Another appealing factor, according to Pim, is the "privacy and security" offered by large Irish estates, often accompanied by extensive land. Breen concurred, stating, "We know that an awful lot of the new landowners are interested in privacy, they're interested in cutting off the land." He raised concerns about this, citing the importance of land management for climate change and the need for historic sites to remain connected to their local communities. Breen emphasized, "They have a responsibility by buying into these places, these places cannot become billionaire ideals."

Breen stressed the historical importance of Irish castles, making it crucial that they don't become entirely private. He explained, "Castles and these big mansions were symbols of hatred and division in our society for so many generations." He believes castles are vital to how people in Ireland remember the past. He added that these new owners "could potentially have a positive impact on these places as long as they engage properly with the authorities."

The status conferred by owning a castle may also be an attractive quality. Breen explained that as society transitioned from feudalism to early capitalism, castles became less about defense and practicality and more "trendy." The wealthy sought to "show their prestige, their standing, and their status within society through the construction of these places." Today, Breen sees the wealthy buying Irish castles as "an identical process in many ways."

A spokesperson for Waterford City and County Council welcomed the news of Mr. Zuckerberg's purchase of Strancally Castle, noting it was "not surprising, as the Blackwater Valley in County Waterford is a place of unrivalled beauty." They expressed hope that "Mr Zuckerberg and his family fully enjoy all that Waterford has to offer."