Andy Irvine recorded Willie o’ Winsbury in 1968 with Sweeney's Men and in 2010 on his album Abocurragh where he noted:

Learned back in the sixties from Professor Child’s collection of traditional ballads which was like the bible at the time. This is Child 100. I collated words from different versions and as the story goes, on looking up the tune, I lighted on the tune to number 101 [Willie o Douglas Dale]. I’m not sure if this is true but it’s a good story. I recorded it solo on Sweeney’s Men’s eponymous first album in 1968 accompanying myself on guitar.