Devastated to hear of old friend Willie Beaton's death. Was not even aware that he was ill! He'll be sorely missed by all his friends in Ireland.
Willie was a major figure in the Dublin folk world in the late 1960s where he was influential in the scene around the seminal 95 Club which was founded by Mick Moloney and myself. The 95 was an arena of many developing talents like Paul Brady, Christy Moore, Donal Lunney and Kevin Coneff of the Chieftains [and even a young John Banville who later went on to write novels!!] and also a hotbed of exploration and debate. Willie was right in the thick of it and was involved in all the major developments in the traditional/folk scene in Dublin of the time, including the initiation of the famous Tradition Club which was to run in Slatterys of Capel St for more than twenty years. When he moved back to Scotland he still came over fairly regularly for gigs and festivals.

Fare thee well, Willie! Gie us a big moody afore ye gae!

With fond memories

Seán Corcoran