Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan have donated €150,000 to the three GAA clubs which are located closest to Strancally Castle in Co Waterford.
It is understood this is the couple’s first Irish philanthropic donation since they bought Strancally Castle in August.
The three clubs – Shamrocks GAA in Knockanore, Tallow GAA in Tallow, and Lismore GAA in Lismore – will each receive €50,000.
The donations will be paid to the clubs over a two-year period, with each club receiving €25,000 per year.
A spokerson for the Meta owner and his wife say they decided to donate to the three GAA clubs in Waterford that are closest to Strancally Castle as they are aware of the very significant role that the GAA plays in local communities in Ireland.
“As new members of the community in Waterford, they wanted to support these local clubs,” the statement read.
“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,” Mr Zuckerberg and Ms Chan said.
The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC), has fined Meta almost €2.5 billion since 2022, relating to breaches of data regulations. These judgments remain under appeal and the DPC says that just €17 million has been collected so far.
Shamrocks GAA draws from the combined parishes of Knockanore, Glendine and Kilwatermoy. It plans to use the funds to help upgrade its dressing rooms.
“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,” said Shamrocks GAA secretary Tim Lenehan.
“On behalf of everyone connected to Shamrocks Hurling and Football Club I’d like to thank Mark and Priscilla for this donation.”
Tallow intends to use the funds to promote coaching and games, help build a 100-seater spectator stand and to assist with the tarmacking of the club’s community walkway.
“This is the largest single donation that Tallow GAA has received in its 139-year history, and it will have a hugely positive impact on our club,” said Tallow GAA treasurer Kieran Geary.
He said: “Our first priority is to invest in coaching and games, supporting the development of our players and teams at all levels. This generous donation will also help us progress important capital projects.
“This includes the tarmacking of our community walkway and the development of a spectator stand to improve facilities for those who come to support and enjoy our games at Páirc Éamonn de Paor.
“On behalf of our members, players, supporters, and the wider Tallow community I’d like to thank Mark and Priscilla for their kind donation to Tallow GAA & Camogie Club.”
Last month, Meta Platforms agreed to pay up to $16.68 billion and make major changes to Facebook and Instagram to settle claims by states across the US that it designed those platforms to addict children, misled consumers about their safety and improperly collected children’s personal data.
Asked on RTÉ’s News At One about the issue of social media and whether they were conflicted about taking the money Mr Geary said that as a club, the “welfare of the young players and anyone involved locally” in the club is their “priority”.
Listen: Mark Zuckerberg donates €150,000 to three Waterford GAA clubs
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“We do believe as a club we have a huge responsibility along with government, schools and tech companies also to ensure safe usage.
“We looked at it as what it is, a private donation and that we are going to use this for the betterment of young people’s welfare in our own community, getting them out onto pitches, getting them out on our walkway,” he said.
“You don’t have to be a hurler, a camogie player or a footballer to be part of our club. And we’re going to use this (donation) for the positive aspect for young people that it should be used for.”
He said they would absolutely welcome the presence of Mr Zuckerberg and Ms Chan at a blitz or a match.
“We have a presentation for them of jerseys just to welcome them to the area. And of course, they’re welcome to the club any time,” he said.
Lismore will use the funds to assist with projects such as proposed floodlighting, new pitch side fencing and a community walkway.
Lismore GAA secretary Emer Barry said: “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.
“We are most grateful to Priscilla and Mark for their generosity to not alone our club, but also to the locality. This donation will help develop our facilities, which in turn will benefit the community at large, most especially the future generations.
“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.”
Located on the banks of the River Blackwater, Strancally is described as a three-storey cut stone Gothic revival style house that was built in 1827 for former UK Tory MP John Kiely.
The current Strancally Castle is located about 4.5km upriver from the ruins of the original Strancally Castle, which was one of a number of fortifications that were built in the area by the Desmond family.
Strancally is one of a number of historic houses and estates in the Blackwater Valley area, and is located close to Ballynatray House, Lismore Castle, Cappoquin House and Salterbridge House.
It is understood that the billionaire social media company owner and his family will continue to live in the US and will use the property in Waterford when carrying out Meta business in Ireland.
Mr Zuckerberg is one of a number of billionaires who have shown an interest in the West Waterford area in recent times, including Dyson founder James Dyson, who also also owns a nearby castle, and Domino’s Pizza founder Tom Monaghan, who is involved in establishing a university campus at Mount Melleray in Cappoquin.
