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Thomas, the sixth Earl of Desmond, while on a hunting excursion lost his way, between Tralee and Newcastle, in the county of Limerick, where he was received and entertained by one William McCormick, whose daughter he subsequently married. At this alliance the family and clan took umbrage, and forced him to resign his title and estate to his youngest brother. He died in France in 1420, leaving issue, Maurice and John; Robert the son of Maurice returned to Ireland, where he killed Gerald the White Knight in single combat at Athdale, whence he received the name of Adaire. He afterwards settled in Scotland, where he married Arabella daughter of John Campbell, Lord of Argyle.
Local: From 'Ath,' a ford, and 'dare,' from 'darach,' the place of oaks, "The ford of the oaks." There is the following tradition of the origin of this surname: "Thomas, the sixth Earl of Desmond, while on a hunting excursion was benighted, and lost his way, between Tralee and Newcastle, in the county of Limerick, where he was received and hospitably entertained by one William McCormic, whose daughter he subsequently married. At this alliance, the family and clan took umbrage. Resigning his title and estate to his youngest brother, he fled to France in 1418, and died of grief at Rouen, two years afterward. The King of England attended his funeral. He had issue, Maurice and John; Robert, the son of Maurice, returning to Ireland, with the hope of regaining the estates and title of Thomas, his ancestor, slew Gerald, the White Knight, in single combat at 'Athdare, the ford of the oaks,' whence he received the name of Adaire. He embarked for Scotland, where he married Arabella, daughter of John Campbell, Lord of Argyle."
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