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31st July 2025
09:26am BST
RTÉ broadcaster Seán Rocks has died aged 63.
The radio presenter passed away last night, July 30, following a brief illness.
Seán was known to radio listeners nationwide and beyond.
He presented RTÉ Radio 1’s nightly arts and culture magazine, Arena, since its inception in 2009 and more recently presented a Sunday afternoon programme on RTÉ Lyric FM, where he began his career in 2000.
In a statement, RTÉ Director-General Kevin Bakhurst 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, but so too has Ireland 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.”
After starting with Lyric FM in 2000, Sean went on to host several shows.
Sean was well regarded for his public interviews with authors and actors such as Rupert Everett, Roddy Doyle, and Brendan Gleeson.
He was equally beloved for his wide-ranging studio interviews with composers, playwrights, authors, filmmakers, and songwriters.
A versatile talent, Sean also guest-presented, produced, and wrote several series for RTÉ and even won a Silver Medal at the New York Festival of Radio for the documentary Soul of Ireland for BBC Radio 4.
Furthermore, he worked 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, as well as the Donmar Warehouse and Tricycle theaters in London.
He also appeared in television shows and films, including The Bill, Glenroe, Fair City, Dear Sarah, and Go Now.
Seán MC'd the State Banquet for Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Ireland as well as several important state events at Áras an Uachtaráin.
Director of Audio at RTÉ, Patricia Monahan, 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.
