Zuckerberg donates €150,000 to three GAA clubs near his Waterford castle

The Meta CEO and his wife recently purchased the property.

The Meta CEO and his wife will give €50,000 to each of the three clubs: Shamrocks GAA in Knockanore, Tallow GAA and Lismore GAA.

The money will be distributed over two years, meaning each club will receive €25,000 annually.

This is understood to be the couple's first philanthropic contribution in Ireland since acquiring the historic Waterford property.

A spokesperson for the pair said the decision was based on the important role played by the GAA in communities throughout Ireland.

"As new members of the community in Waterford, they wanted to support these local clubs," the spokesperson said.

In a statement, Zuckerberg and Chan added: "The GAA is at the heart of communities across Ireland. As new members of the Waterford community, we’re proud to support these local clubs and the important role they play."

Celebrating the news on Facebook, Tallow GAA wrote: "Tallow GAA would like to sincerely thank Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan for their incredibly generous support.

"It is a huge honour for our club and we are deeply grateful. This donation will allow us to continue developing our facilities for our players, members and the wider community.

"Thank you, Mark and Priscilla for helping us build on everything achieved so far."

Lismore GAA took to social media to express their gratitude for the donation.

"On behalf of all involved with Lismore GAA, we are delighted to receive a donation from Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan to help develop and future proof facilities in our club.

"Lismore GAA is placing the funds in a dedicated development account and they may be used to contribute to capital projects such as proposed floodlighting, new pitch side fencing and a community walkway."

The club continued: "Lismore GAA Secretary Emer Barry said - We in Lismore GAA would like to extend a welcome to the Chan Zuckerberg family to the west Waterford area and hope they will have many happy memories here.

"Lismore GAA is very proud to have been recognised with this donation. We pride ourselves as being at the heart of the community in Lismore and this funding will be of assistance with upcoming development works which will benefit our children and players."

As reported by RTÉ, Shamrocks GAA plan to use the funds to help upgrade its dressing rooms.

Club secretary Tim Lenehan, commented: "We are delighted to receive this donation from Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan. Shamrocks is a small club and this donation will make a huge difference to our fundraising efforts."

Strancally Castle sits on the banks of the River Blackwater and is described as a three-storey Gothic Revival house built from cut stone in 1827 for John Kiely, a former UK Tory MP.

The present castle stands around 4.5 kilometres from the remains of the original and is part of the historic landscape of the Blackwater Valley.

It is situated close to several other notable estates and houses, including Ballynatray House, Lismore Castle, Cappoquin House and Salterbridge House.

Despite purchasing the Waterford property, Zuckerberg and his family are understood to remain based in the US. The castle is expected to be used when the Meta founder is carrying out business in Ireland.