In 1259 he attested a charter of Geoffrey deGeneville to Beaubec Abbey in Normandy, and one of Patrick, Archbishop of Armagh between 1261 and 1270. He took part in the Battle of Kilmormoy in county Mayo together with his father. The following year at Beltra strand he killed Taithleach O Dowd, King of Ui Fiachrach Moy and overlord of the O Clearys of Mayo, who was by this stage supporting the Barrets. In 1285 Adam suffered a great defeat by Manus O Connor at Ballysadare, county Sligo. Many were taken prisoner, and Adam escaped by leaving his brother, Cohn, as prisoner. After the defeat of 1285 the authority of Adam and his successors in Mayo was greatly weakened. He died 1287.9