Tributes to legendary Inishowen landlady Nancy Swanick who kept order at famous Manchester pub for 55 years
The death has occurred of legendary Inishowen landlady Nancy Swanick, who kept order in a famous Manchester pub frequented by the Gallagher brothers, Eric Cantona and Robbie Coltraine for over half a century.
Born Nancy Murray in Muff in Co. Donegal, like many others, she moved to Britain in the middle of the last century and worked as a mental health nurse for a time before taking over at ‘the Pev’ in 1971.
She sadly passed away at the age of 96 on July 28 just days after Time Out named her beloved pub on Great Bridgewater Street, the best bar in Britain.
"Nancy always kept up to date with news about ‘the Pev’ and we told her about our new accolade of Best Pub in the UK a few days ago.
“‘The Pev’ will stay in the Swanick family and we will continue to cherish it as we did Nancy,” the famous watering hole declared.
Labour MP Mike Kane was among those regulars paying tribute.
"Over the years, I’ve spent so many happy hours at the Peveril of the Peak - enjoying a good pint with the team, joining in the Irish music sessions, and taking table football far too seriously.
"Then there were all those election get‑togethers there too. Whether we were celebrating or commiserating, Nancy was always there with that wonderful warm welcome. She’s the reason ‘the Pev’ feels such a special place.
“Thinking of all Nancy’s family and friends. She’ll be so hugely missed. Sláinte, Nancy,” he said.
Among the patrons of ‘the Pev’ were Noel and Liam Gallagher who posed for photographs outside its distinctive facade when Oasis were at ‘the peak’ of their powers in 1994.
During that era Eric Cantona was also known to stop by for a drink. And the late Robbie Coltrane was once pictured with Nancy in the pub.
Declaring it the best pub in Britain Time Out described ‘the Pev’ as the ‘kind of pub that’s so perfect, it deserves to serve as the venue for the wetting of your head, your wedding and your wake’.
"Standing freely on Great Bridgewater Street, ‘the Pev’ beckons you in with its dazzling green, yellow and brown tiling, retro windows and heavy emerald door.
"Inside, it’s a ‘proper pub’ and then some: a jukebox, pool table and dartboard are all crammed into a cosy snug, smattered with vintage stools, sticky tables and framed Pub of the Year awards from decades gone by.
"The boozer — rumoured to be both a former brothel and a haunt for ghosts — was overseen by legendary landlady Nancy Swanick, who lived above the bar, for over 50 years.
"While she sadly passed away on July 28 (just after the publication of this guide), ‘the Pev’ has urged everyone to ‘raise your glass to the wonder that was Nancy’. Cheers!” the magazine and entertainment guide declared.
Local in Manchester city centre ‘the Pev’ dates back to 1820 and once part of a longer terrace none of which remains.