FIFTEEN years on from his first calendar, photographer John Mallon says "our island is still as beautiful as ever" as he launched the latest edition of ‘Beauty on Our Doorstep’.

John first took up photography during a battle with his own mental health issues. He has since used his talent with a camera to inspire those facing similar struggles to seek help, and has now published his 15th calendar to raise awareness of mental health charities.

In the latest edition of his calendar, John gives us a fresh collection of photos taken from across Ireland to celebrate each month of the coming year; the proceeds from which go to many charities promoting physical and mental health.

John told us to expect "a lot of beauty, and a lot of good coming from it".

“I designed the calendar 15 years ago to try and help people with mental health," he said.

"The whole idea was that the calendar would be on the wall 365 days a year, so you’ll never throw it out. Make it a thing of beauty but also put all the contact numbers for all the organisations.

“The amount of people that have told me that they’ve used the calendar to get help is unbelievable. Every single year people tell me, people will buy the calendar for someone who they know is not in a good place.

"Myself, being someone who lost my brother to suicide and who went through it myself and came very close to ending my life, I know the message it sends out to people. The fantastic thing about it is that it’s taken on a life of its own now. The amount of organisations that benefit from the sales of the calendar is unbelievable.

“The main recipient this year will be the People’s Kitchen on the Antrim Road, who are feeding over 80 people a night. I am also supporting Foodstock, North Belfast Foodbank, Gort na Móna young camogs and Belfast CFC, a football team for people with disabilities."

Speaking about some of the photos in the calendar, John added: "I get to travel and I get to see the places first-hand. Sometimes it can be a lot of travelling. I love travelling, I love going to places.

John Mallon and Lord Mayor Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly
2Gallery

John Mallon and Lord Mayor Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly

"This country, from top to bottom, has so much beauty. Bottom of Ireland to the top of Ireland, there’s just so much beauty in abundance. I’m the lucky one, I get to take the pictures, I get to go to the places. The lads at Nova Print who develop the calendar every year put it together, I have to give them the praise. They do the hard part of it.

"I probably take about 30 photos. I want some of the seasons to match, if it’s December it’ll probably be a winter scene. If it’s autumn time they’ll be in autumn. Just to try and run with the seasons, it’s always a message of beauty.

“I love the robin, and everybody loves a robin.”

John was joined at Friday's calendar launch by Lord Mayor Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly.

"I want to say a massive congratulations to John for this calendar and all the work he does throughout the year to raise awareness of mental health and the support that is out there," she said.

"All the organisations he has supported over the last 15 years is incredible and the support for this year's beneficiaries will go along way in supporting the great work that they do."

John’s calendar is on sale at his stall in the Kennedy Centre now.