The first being a collaboration with Irish poet Louis de Paor under the pseudonym "The Gaelic Hit Factory".

The album of the same name was critically acclaimed and Spillane and De Paor combined their talents to win the Realta Irish song contest two years in a row.

Spillane is noted to have followed the release (and continues to do so) with a school tour to promote the Irish language through music to young people.

An excerpt from his journal describes an experience from that trip: "Another day found us on the Isle de Goréé, the chief station for the deportation of slaves from West Africa to the Americas.

Spillane has said that "my most treasured possession is my Spanish guitar, a Cabballero by Rodruigez, Guitarra de Artisania, Almansa, Espana".