Seán Rocks, presenter of RTÉ radio's culture show Arena, dies aged 63
He died on Wednesday night following a brief illness, aged 63.
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Mr Rocks presented RTÉ Radio One's nightly arts and culture show Arena since it began in 2009, and recently presented a Sunday afternoon programme on RTÉ Lyric FM, where his radio career began in 2000.
Arena aired Monday to Friday from 7pm to 8pm, and Mr Rocks was on air as recently as last Friday.
RTÉ Director General Kevin Backhurst said that Mr Rocks' death came with "enormous shock and sadness".
"Loyal listeners, especially to Seán's beloved and long-running Arena on RTÉ Radio One, will recognise the man in that quote: modest yet learned; subtle yet probing; curious yet polite. The listener at home was always his focus.
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"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," Mr Backhurst said.
Mr Rocks, who grew up in Monaghan Town, was 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 also beloved by listeners for his wide-ranging studio interviews with composers and playwrights, authors and filmmakers and songwriters.
Mr Rocks also guest-presented, produced and wrote several series for the national broadcaster and won a Silver Medal at the New York Festival of Radio for the documentary Soul of Ireland for BBC Radio 4.
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He previously 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.
Mr Rocks was MC at the State Banquet for the visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Ireland and at several state events at Áras an Uachtaráin.
RTÉ's director of audio, Patricia Monahan, said that Mr Rocks' passion for radio and the arts was "infectious".
"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," she said.
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