23-05-2025
The village river-side pub with 2 deliciously popular dishes that 'go down a treat'
This week's pub is in a village that sits on the shores of the River Irwell and has a "good group" of regulars.
The Horseshoe, in Ringley, is a Thwaites pub and has been run by Eileen and Andy Donald for the last seven and a half years.
Originally from the North East, Eileen has lived in Bolton for more than two decades.
We spoke to Eileen to hear what it's all about.
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Introduce yourself
My name is Eileen Donald, and I run the Horseshoe in Ringley.
Eileen and Andy (Image: Public)What made you want to take over the running of the pub?
I'd worked in the pub before we began running it, and I always got the impression that it was a thriving village pub, so it was ideal.
What changes did you make?
We wanted to go back to basic, and do what the pub used to do in the early 2000s, so we brought back home-cooked food.
(Image: Public)What's the most popular dish?
I'd say either the minted lamb, or the homemade cheese and onion pie.
What's the draught line-up?
Birra Moretti
Madri
Guinness
Somersby cider
Thwaites's Gold
Thwaites's Smooth
Fosters
What's the best thing about running the pub?
(Image: Google Maps) The people, getting to meet all sorts of people from all walks of life, is very nice, we've got a good group of regulars who we chat to.
Describe the area
It's ruralish, it's in three villages really, Stoneclough, Ringley, and Prestolee, on the river Irwell, we used to be on an old camel towpath that is very popular with walkers, we're dog friendly and very much a village pub.
What's been a highlight of your time at the pub?
Surviving Covid! It was difficult, but it was easier for us as we could operate as a takeaway for brews when everyone was being encouraged to go walking.
