the Stairs  were used by the thronging population to access the mountain plateau to reach bog plots. Great care was taken in constructing them. Flagged stones set carefully, they zigzag upward, presenting a stepped flat surface for the walker. Here and there they bridge rivulets and in places are obviously terraced to accommodate steep ground.  On occasions the stairs were the footpaths used by those going across the mountain to church at Attymass or visiting relations in one of the villages along the foot of the mountain.