Sold Into Marriage: One Girl's Living Nightmare

by Sean Boyne

The true story of a sixteen-year-old Irish girl sold by her father as a bride to an elderly farmer
for money, a Morris Mini car and the promise of land.

A shocking account of cruelty, greed, domination.
The trading of girl-for-money is followed by abuse, forced isolation and absolute control.
It robbed her of her youth, scarred her for life.
Nobody managed to prevent this terrible event happening.
Some tried, but failed.
Others simply went silently along with it.
This book reveals a story of life beyond imagination.

This did not happen in the Dark Ages.
It happened in Ireland in the 1970s.
This woman is still in her early forties.

THIS IS A TRUE STORY

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

190 pages, Paperback

First published September 14, 1998

About the author

Sean Boyne is a journalist and author, and is currently news editor of The Sunday World, a major Irish newspaper.

Reviews

[Josephine (Jo) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hardly know how to start with this book. It is the story of an abused child, two battered wives, two men who are misogynists of the worst kind. They think they have the right to do as they wish with the women in their families.
Dan is the father of Nula, she is sixteen years old and attends convent school. Dan is a drunken, gambling, wife beater. He also beats and sexually molests Nula. Dan always has an eye open for ways to make money, he is known in the area as a matchmaker. Although the role of the matchmaker in Ireland is now a rare thing, before there were such things had dating web sites it was a way of meeting someone to marry.
Having met Paddy McGorril with his huge house and acres of land Dan saw a way to make money. McGorril was a widower and looking for a wife and Dan thought that his sixteen year old daughter would make the ideal match for the rich sixty nine year old farmer. Nula was horrified and very afraid, she tried to tell the priest what was going on and got a dreadful beating. The outcome was that she was taken to a different priest to arrange the marriage.
Although it was written into the marriage agreement that there would be no physical contact between McGorril and Nula that was soon ignored, Nula was the victim of constant rape and beatings. Her husband then complained to her father and he would give her another beating. Nula's mother was also terrified of Dan and dare not help her child.
This is one of the most shocking stories I have read and it happened in 1970!
Nula only found the courage to tell her story in 1998 she has battled her demons all her life.
The life that Nula led is beyond belief in a modern society.

[Cindy (BKind2Books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a difficult book to read in several ways. First, the story is horrific. Nuala is a teenager when her father (a drunk, habitual gambler, wife & child abuser - gee, what a peach) sells her to an elderly farmer. Nuala does everything she can to get out of this marriage, even attempting suicide to draw attention to her plight; but nothing works. She's initially told that her husband only wants a companion, not a physical relationship, but that quickly devolves into beatings and eventually marital rape. This is a testament to her courage, will to live, and strength that she was able to survive, albeit with deep scars and effects (she's had her own battle with alcohol). It is a story that needed to be told. That said, this book was also difficult to read from a reader's perspective. The writing seems to stutter through and some of the syntax is weird (such as saying she did this for 'the husband' instead of 'her husband' - it's hard to tell if this is an Irish thing). I found myself thinking that this story in the hands of an accomplished writer would have been so much better.

[Edwina Book Anaconda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The evil that men do ... it boggles the brain.

Sweet, innocent, sixteen-year-old Nuala is sold, by her Father, to a sixty-something-year old
sadistic farmer.
As if the endless beatings aren't enough, she must also endure the countless raping by the husband who "bought" her.

When she turns to her Father for help ... he savagely beats her and tells her to obey her husband.
When she turns to the local priest ... he tries to molest her.
When she turns to the police ... they say there is no such thing as "rape within marriage".

Naula has only herself to depend upon and one day she finds her chance to escape ... she runs.
She is still running today ... from memories and nightmares.

I pray that one day she will find peace.

[Beth (bibliobeth)]

Read this book in a couple of hours, not only was it quick and easy to read but was harrowing and moving throughout. Made all the more poignant as it is a true story of a young Irish girl who is "sold into marriage" to an elderly EVIL farmer. Bittersweet ending, I thought.

[Chrissi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was unbelievable. So sad that this actually happened to the poor woman. It's a quick read, but not an easy one. What the woman had to put up with is quite tough to read. The author sensitively tells the story. I found the ending to be bittersweet.

[Carmel Carmel · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read books like this I feel that some people should be mentally tested before allowed bring children into this world. What a nightmare life Cathy had, very sad indeed!

[Sabrina Rutter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very sad story. I can't beleive that someones own father would put his daughter through this.

[Katarzyna Rudden · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not an easy read- nor it should be


"Sold into marriage" is not an easy read—nor should it be. From the first page, it drags you into a brutal reality that most would prefer to ignore. The narrative is raw, unflinching, and devastatingly real. I was chilled to the bone not by fiction but by the horrifying truth that these stories reflect the lived experiences of too many.

Boyle doesn’t sensationalize; he reveals. He lays bare the systems of control, manipulation, and silence that trap vulnerable lives in cycles of abuse and despair. What’s most disturbing is how ordinary people—family, neighbours, officials—often become complicit through inaction, ignorance, or calculated cruelty.

This book made me question everything: the comfort of my own life, the fragility of personal autonomy, and the societal structures that fail those who need protection most. It is a story of loss, resilience, and unbearable injustice.

Sold into marriage isn’t just a book—it’s a scream for awareness, a demand for empathy, and a haunting reminder of the darkness that can exist behind closed doors. I won’t forget it. And I don't think anyone should.

[Mike Kerley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to read but couldn't put down

This is not an easy book to read. That it is true is hard to take in, and that any father could do what "Dan" did is almost incomprehensible in a civilised country. "Paddy" is maybe easier to accept as we are accustomed to such deeds being perpetrated by those who themselves see such behaviour as some sort of entitlement.
For Nuala I have only admiration. How anyone could have endured what she did is a testament to the human spirit. I think the saddest part of the whole story is that so many people knew what was happening but no-one did anything effective to end; warnings, sympathy - yes, but no determined action to end her abuse.
Kuala is an inspiration to survive. Thank you for that.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the title and cover picture, I thought this would be about the middle east. Set in Ireland, 16 year old Nuala's father arranges a marriage for her with a man in his mid 60s. She is not consulted and the father keeps the bride price of 2500 pounds and a new car. Nuala is raped and beaten by both the husband and the father. First published in 1998, this is a real eye opener.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a true story and it’s so gross that this still happens today. I’m fascinated with Irish history and culture, but it’s heartbreaking learning the depths of the darkness, which is all around the world.

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Painful to read. This story needed to be told.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A harrowing read

[Fiona Seabrook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stuck for words

The story line was ok, quite slow in parts. Some parts feel boring. I read the whole book but it was a trawl. Apologies to the author

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

***Trigger Warning***
Sold Into Marriage is a harrowing and deeply impactful account of a woman’s journey through unimaginable hardships, including forced marriage, verbal and physical abuse, and sexual violence. While the writing style wasn’t quite to my taste and the need to keep details anonymous introduced some limitations, the message of the book remains profound and vital.

Reading this story decades after its time highlights how far we've come, but also how far we still need to go in addressing such issues. The strength and resilience of the woman at the heart of this narrative is undeniable. Though a difficult read, it’s an essential one, serving to raise awareness and remind us to remain humble and vigilant against injustice. Trigger warnings should be noted, but the book’s purpose is clear: to shed light on a dark reality and inspire change.

[Sephie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Knowing a bit about rural Ireland, this story is quite plausible on all counts but I think their is a little embroidery here and there, and the author does admit some changes for the sake of anomninity, but the guy's a journo so that's to be expected. That this took place comparatively recently is quite a worry though.

[Claire O'Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly harrowing account of the life of a young Irish girl pulled from under her feet. Her endurance and sad life thereafter is a true heart wrencher and begs belief. This happened in Ireland in the 1970s.

The story is written well and engaging.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very quick read. Unbelievable story for what actually happened to this girl and presumably many others, but also unbelievable as this was just in the early 1970s.

[Rumpelstiltskin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!! Glad she finally escaped from those evil bastards!!!

[Fiona Vieira · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm now left in shock after reading this disturbing true story of Nuala and the savage cruelty she endured.

[Mimi Prado Marin]

Gripping

A sobering read about the ultimate betrayal: a father who sells his daughter into a life of sexual and psychological slavery in '70s Ireland.

[Karren321 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually love this sort of thing - but this was so depressing. And boring.

Beat me here beat me there. Then it comes to a natural conclusion....

[sue killips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book. It's horrific to think a father could treat his daughter that way. Money was more important to him than his own daughter.

[Pure · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have one word to sum this book up THRILLING.............

[Lunar glow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very unpleasent content however very interesting read.
A troubling and horrifying ordeal for someone so young to face.
The cruelty of human beings is more than ever displayed in this book so take caution and read with warning.