Daragh O'Connell

It is with profound sadness that RTÉ announces the death of radio presenter and actor Seán Rocks. Seán died last night following a brief illness at the age of 63.    Well-known to listeners all over Ireland and the world, Seán presented RTÉ Radio 1’s nightly arts and culture magazine, Arena, since its inception in 2009, and recently presented a Sunday afternoon programme back on RTÉ lyric fm, where his radio career began in 2000.  Originally starting as a presenter with RTÉ lyric fm in 2000, where he fronted a number of shows, Seán moved to RTÉ Radio 1 in 2009 to helm the station’s new weekly arts and culture programme, Arena. 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.     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.    Seán 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.   Seán is survived by his beloved Catherine and sons Christian and Morgan. May he rest in peace.