In about 1380, Robert Fitzgerald owned lands around Adare in Ireland. There he fought a family duel with Gerald, the white knight, a distant cousin. Although Robert Fitzgerald's father was the Earl of Desmond, the Fitzgeralds did not see Robert as a nobleman. It was unacceptable for him to kill a knight. A powerful group was against Robert. Robert became a fugitive, relocating to Wigtownshire in south western Scotland. To cover his tracks, Robert took as his surname 'Adare' after the town near his lands back in Ireland.
Adare in Ireland, is said to have been originally named "Athdare' or 'Athdara'. This is derived from the Celtic language. The Celtic word for ford (as in a river crossing) is 'Ath'. The Celtic word for Oak tree is 'Dair' or 'Dara'. Hence Athdara was 'ford at the oaks'.
One would think this sufficient to form a theory to explain the origin of the Adair surname. However, the story continues. Upon arriving in Scotland, Robert learned that the King of Scotland had placed a bounty on the head of a man named 'Currie'. Currie was outlawed as a thief and pirate. The King promised Currie's castle, deemed nearly impregnable, to whomever would bring him the head of Currie. Robert Adare watched over Dunskey castle for several days until Currie came out one evening. Robert followed Currie, and engaged the pirate in mortal combat, slewing him at the head of Colfin Glen. Robert took Currie's severed head to the court of Scotland, where a courtier enquired of Robert, "who dared encounter Currie?". Robert Adare responded, "I dare!". "Good!", confirmed the King. "Let that always be your name", proclaimed the King.
The Adair crest has Currie's head, couped and bloody, drops of blood falling from it. Robert Adare was granted the castle for so long possessed by Currie. Robert became known as Adare of Portree. Portree means, 'the King's port'. Robert's descendants built a castle on the spot Currie was killed, and called it 'Kinhilt', as a monument to their ancestor's deed.
As an epologue, in 1608, the Adairs exchanged Dunskey castle for the lands in Ballymena, County Antrim, Ireland, owned by Viscount Montgomery of Ardes. The Adairs moved to Ireland, but kept Kinhilt until about the time of the battle of the Boyne in 1690 between King William III and the former King James II. Robert Adair raised a regiment of foot and a troop of 60 horse for the victorious King William and the protestant cause. Robert Adair was knighted on the field of battle for his services to the King. Robert sold Kinhilt to Lord Stair. In 1998, Dunskey was purchased by an unnamed foreign business man, who plans to repair the castle if he can get around the governments protection of historical sites.