RIP: 'Enormous shock and sadness' at RTÉ as popular radio presenter and actor dies

RTÉ has announced the death of popular radio presenter and actor Seán Rocks, following a brief illness. 

Well-known to listeners all over Ireland and the world, Seán, 63, presented RTÉ Radio 1’s nightly arts and culture magazine, Arena, since its inception in 2009, and recently presented a Sunday afternoon programme on RTÉ lyric fm, where his radio career began in 2000 - fronting a number of shows.

Seán moved to RTÉ Radio 1 in 2009 to helm the station’s new weekly arts and culture programme, Arena - most recently presenting the programme last Friday.

Hugely well regarded for his public interviews - with authors such as Salman Rushdie, Edna O'Brien, and Roddy Doyle, and actors such as Rupert Everett, Martin Sheen and Brendan Gleeson, he was equally beloved of listeners for his wide-ranging studio interviews, with composers and playwrights, authors and filmmakers and songwriters.  

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Commenting following the announcement of his death, Kevin Bakhurst, RTE Director General, said: “It is with enormous shock and sadness that we learned today of Seán’s untimely passing. Seán said once: 'Radio is never about the presenter. It’s about the person who is opposite you.' Loyal listeners, especially to Seán’s beloved and long-running Arena on RTÉ Radio 1, will recognise the man in that quote: modest yet learned; subtle yet probing; curious yet polite. The listener at home was always his focus. Not only is radio the poorer for his passing."

Mr Backhurst added that Ireland has lost one of its most passionate advocates for the arts, and one of its most informed and versatile voices. "I want to extend my most sincere sympathies to Seán’s beloved Catherine, his children Christian and Morgan, his friends, and his colleagues at this terrible time.”  

Hugely versatile, Seán also guest-presented, produced, and wrote several series for the national broadcaster. He won a Silver Medal at the New York Festival of Radio for the documentary Soul of Ireland for BBC Radio 4.  

Throughout his career, he worked extensively as an actor both at home and abroad, appearing at the Abbey, Peacock, and Gate Theatres and with many important independent companies including Rough Magic, Druid and Field Day, and at the Royal Court, National, Donmar Warehouse and Tricycle theatres in London. His television and film roles included The Bill, Glenroe, Fair City, Dear Sarah and Go Now.  

Seán was MC at the State Banquet for the visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Ireland and at several important state events at Áras an Uachtaráin.   

Patricia Monahan, RTÉ’s Director of Audio, said: “Seán's passion for radio and the arts was infectious and the curiosity with which he approached topics ranging from cinema to theatre and books to classical music was compelling to listen to. He was interested in everyone's point of view and had a great ability to command an audience's attention. He was never more at home than when he was on stage."

"He was full of energy and ambition for the future and is a huge untimely loss to radio and RTÉ. He will be sorely missed by his RTÉ Radio 1 colleagues and his wider RTÉ family. Our thoughts are of course with his beloved, Catherine, children Christian and Morgan and his extended family and friends. As you take your final bow Seán, May you rest in peace.”  

Seán is survived by his beloved Catherine and sons Christian and Morgan.