From Maghera to India: musician Jack Warnock performs at international Vhah festival
Mid Ulster musician Jack Warnock recently performed at the Vhah festival in Ramgarh Shekhawati Rajasthan, supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland National Lottery funding and the British Council.
He joined Co Fermanagh Visual Artist, Diane Henshaw, who has been in India throughout January/February 2026 to attend the prestigious Vedaaranya Artists’ Residency.
They performed during the Vhah Festival, a cultural festival focused on heritage, togetherness and health.
Jack, who is a multi-instrumentalist and singer from Maghera, has received numerous Arts Council of Northern Ireland awards and performed around the world.
He said: “It’s very exciting to be afforded the opportunity to head to India with Siobhán Molloy of ACNI to perform at the Vhah festival, and to link in with Diane Henshaw on her month-long residency there. I’ve been fortunate to travel lots of the western world with traditional music under my belt, but this is my first India trip, and I relish the opportunity to meet with and collaborate with artists from that region.
"There’s also something to be said for experiencing warmer climes in mid-January! It’s sure to be a very exciting trip, and I am sure it’s one that I will look back on fondly for years to come!”
Siobhán Molloy, Arts Development Officer, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, also joined Jack and Diane at the Vhah festival to learn more about the Vedaaranya Artists’ Residency and develop local partnerships.
She said it was a fantastic opportunity for both Diane and Jack to raise their international profiles while learning about local traditions and techniques used in India which can inspire their future work.