‘Everybody loved him' – Tributes paid to RTÉ radio presenter Seán Rocks following death at 64

Irish Independent

5 days ago

The broadcaster fronted RTÉ Radio 1's nightly arts and culture show Arena since 2009, hosting the show up to last Friday.
He recently presented a Sunday afternoon programme on RTÉ Lyric FM, where he started his radio career in 2000.
Tributes have been paid to Mr Rocks, who also worked extensively as an actor both at home and abroad and has been remembered as someone whose passion for the arts was 'infectious'.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was 'so saddened' to learn of the death of Mr Rocks, who 'emerged as an authentic voice of the arts and culture in Ireland'.
"He broadened the appeal of the arts to a wider audience. I always enjoyed listening to his programmes. My thoughts are with his family, friends and RTÉ colleagues at this time.'
RTÉ colleagues have been 'devastated' by the news of his death, with RTÉ arts and media correspondent Evelyn O'Rourke describing Mr Rocks as 'great fun' and 'the warmest person'.
'Walking around the building this morning, I am struck by the amount of people who are stopping me to say that they are so devastated,' she said.
"Everybody loved him in this building. He is a beloved colleague. He was the warmest, most supportive colleague you could have.
"I had the joy of working on Arena with him for a number of years and he was just endlessly curious and cheeky. He had a twinkle in the eye.'
Tánaiste Simon Harris said: 'I am deeply saddened at the sudden passing of RTÉ presenter Seán Rocks.
'Seán was an iconic voice in Irish broadcasting and someone who made an incredible contribution to arts and culture.
'He possessed an unrivalled ability to entertain and inform his listeners, always doing so through his well-known Monaghan charm.
'I want to extend my condolences to Seán's beloved Catherine, children Christian and Morgan and his extended family and friends.
'I also want offer my sympathies to Seán's colleagues in RTÉ, and indeed his loyal listeners, particularly of the long-running Arena programme.
'Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.'
Mr Rocks appeared on stage at the Abbey, Peacock and Gate Theatres and his TV and film roles included Fair City and Glenroe.
Mr Rocks was the MC at the State Banquet for the visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Ireland and at several important state events at Áras an Uachtaráin.
The broadcaster, who presented Arena as recently as last Friday, has been remembered as a 'top class' ambassador for the arts and a 'brilliant broadcaster'.
The head of RTÉ Radio 1 Tara Campbell said those who worked closely with Mr Rocks on his programme are 'devastated'.
"It's testimony to the man that each and every one of them offered to come in today. I was saying to them, we wouldn't have an expectation that they would come in, because it's all been so sudden and so shocking.
"But they said, 'No, we want to come in and pay tribute to Seán. We owe him that.''
She told how Mr Rocks was as likable off-air as he was on-air and while he was deeply knowledgable, 'he knew so much but carried it so lightly'.
RTÉ broadcaster Marty Whelan described Mr Rocks as a 'curious fella [who] always had a great interest in trying to find the story behind the story, which is always important in this business for all of us'.
In a statement issued this morning, RTÉ director-general Kevin Backhurst said it was 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,' said Mr Bakhurst.
"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.'
RTÉ's director of audio Patricia Monahan said Mr Rock's 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,' she said.
"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.'
This article was amended on 31 July, 2025. Seán Rocks was 64 at the time of his death, not 63 as originally published.