Mysterious roadside fireplace in the Slieve Bloom Mountains

Driving through the Slieve Bloom Mountains with a friend brought memorable moments. One of these was meeting a lorry on the high narrow two-lane road and being obliged to back onto the narrow shoulder to let it pass. Another was pausing at a high vantage point to look out over seven Irish counties.

Then there was this giant fireplace beside the road. There was absolutely nothing to indicate why it was there; likewise the wooden stairs that seemed to lead nowhere.