Funeral of Seán Rocks to take place in native Monaghan
Mr Rocks, 64, the voice of Arena on RTÉ Radio 1, died in Dublin last week following a brief illness.
President Higgins described him as one of Ireland's finest broadcasters and advocates for the arts and artists.
His funeral Mass will take place in St Macartan's Cathedral in his native Monaghan town at 11am.
The chief celebrant will be the parish priest for Ballybay, Canon Patrick McGinn, who is understood to be a friend of the Rocks family.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin will be represented at the funeral by his aide-de-camp, Commandant Joseph Glennon.
Some of the biggest names from the Irish arts community are also expected to attend the funeral, and pay their respects to the broadcaster, who has been described as someone who championed artists and the industry.
Mr Rocks, who presented RTÉ Radio 1's nightly arts and culture magazine, Arena, since its inception in 2009, died at St Vincent's University Hospital in Dublin last Wednesday.
Born on 8 June 1961, Mr Rocks was raised in Monaghan town with his two brothers and two sisters.
He trained and worked as a teacher for seven years, before moving on to a career in acting.
He then began presenting programmes on RTÉ Lyric FM in 2000, before producing and presenting documentaries and arts programming on RTÉ Radio 1.
He lived in Dundrum in Co Dublin.
Mr Rocks regularly hosted important national literary and arts events, and he was a familiar voice at State occasions.
He was the MC at notable events at Áras an Uachtaráin down through the years, and also at the State Banquet at Dublin Castle for the visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Ireland in 2011.
Bhí an-ghrá aige don Ghaeilge agus d'úsáid sé go minic í agus é ag craoladh.
His sudden death last week shocked those who knew him both professionally and personally, and sparked an outpouring of tributes to the broadcaster, who was known to be at the heart of the Irish arts community.
Mr Rocks has been remembered for his warm manner and unassuming intelligence, his interest in all forms of the arts, and his ability to naturally communicate this knowledge.
He will be laid to rest in Latlorcan Cemetery following his funeral mass in the nearby cathedral.
He is survived by his wife Catherine, his sons Morgan and Christian, and his wide circle of family and friends.
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