Latest news with #SeánRocks
RTÉ News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Éist siar le Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh ag caint le Seán Rocks
Bhí Gaeilge den scoth ag Seán Rocks agus bhí spás ann do na healaíona trí Ghaeilge ar Arena. Bhí Seán in ann dul i ngleic le drámaíocht, leabhair agus ceol i nGaeilge agus léirigh sé an-mheas ar na healaíontóirí le Gaeilge a tháinig ar an gclár. Éist siar le clár speisialta a thaifead Seán Rocks, nach maireann ar Oíche Nollag sa bhliain agus é ag caint le ceoltóirí Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Aoife Ní Bhriain agus Catrin Finch. Oíche Nollag, 2023, Seán Rocks was joined in studio by Muireann NicAmhlaoibh (vocal), Aoife Ní Bhriain (fiddle) and Catrin Finch (harp) for an intimate programme of traditional Irish and folk music. Crónófar glór Sheáin i measc na healaíona Gaeilge agus i ndomhan an chultúir trí chéile.
RTÉ News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
From The Archives: Claire Keegan talks to Sean Rocks
The arts community lost a great friend this weeks with the loss of Seán Rocks, the presenter of Arena. By way of tribute, we are broadcasting a public interview Sean did with writer Claire Keegan, the acclaimed author of Small Things Like These and Foster, a classic example of Sean at his finest - listen above.
Irish Times
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
‘The nation loved you': Mourners gather for funeral of Seán Rocks in Monaghan
'We here in Monaghan are very proud of Seán Rocks. We are very proud of his achievements. He was one of us.' Those lines were said by Canon Paddy McGinn to a large crowd gathered for the funeral of Seán Rocks in his native town of Monaghan on Monday. The actor and RTÉ presenter, who died on Wednesday after a brief illness, was 64. President Michael D Higgins was among the mourners who extended their sympathies to Rocks's wife Catherine in St Macartan's Cathedral. Directly afterwards, Sabina Higgins enfolded Catherine in a long hug. The length of the embrace felt testament to the shock, felt by all, that a man who had been on air presenting Arena, RTÉ's flagship arts and culture show the Friday before last, could be so suddenly gone. READ MORE 'We have many questions,' Canon McGinn said. 'Why Seán? Sometimes we have no answers.' Rocks's voice was 'soothing and consoling', said Canon McGinn. He had an ability 'to get the best out of people', while his listeners considered him a friend. [ 'I loved every day I worked with Seán and will miss him': tributes paid to beloved RTÉ presenter Seán Rocks Opens in new window ] Among the mourners were actors Stephen Rea, Ciarán Hinds, Aidan Gillen, Bronagh Gallagher and Stanley Townsend. Musicians Julie Feeney, Camille O'Sullivan and Colm Mac Con Iomaire were in attendance, as were novelists Patrick McCabe and Sinéad Gleeson. Taoiseach Micheál Martin was represented at the funeral by Commandant Joseph Glennon. In attendance from RTÉ were presenters Miriam O'Callaghan, Philip Boucher-Hayes, and RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst, as well as many who had worked with Rocks over the years, including producers Sinéad Egan and Kay Sheehy, and colleagues from Lyric FM, where Rocks had also worked. Quiet sobbing could be heard as the coffin was brought up, with Rocks's young sons, Christian and Morgan, in blazers and trainers, and Catherine leading the way, their hands on top of the coffin. Rocks met Kerry-born Catherine in 2004. 'You became the love of his life,' Canon McGinn told her. 'In 2015, Christian was born, and in 2017 Morgan was born. He was devoted to you.' Reflecting on Rocks's character, his great friend, the actor Marion O'Dwyer told mourners: 'Seán didn't send you a voice note, you got a personal podcast. The boys know whenever someone makes them laugh, that'll be their dad in heaven trying to make them laugh.' A pair of headphones, a box of Seamus Heaney poetry, a wooden spoon, a theatre award, and a family photograph were among the items presented by Rocks's family at the altar as symbols of his love of family and the arts. Heaney had been one of Rocks's lecturers when he did his master's degree in Anglo-Irish literature at UCD. As a boy he went to the local school, St Louis in Monaghan town, before attending Carysfort College to become a teacher. Based in Dundrum in Dublin, Rocks began presenting radio programmes on RTÉ Lyric FM in 2000, before moving on to RTÉ Radio 1. Among his achievements were serving as MC at events at Áras an Uachtaráin, and also serving as host MC at the State banquet at Dublin Castle for the visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Ireland in 2011. As an actor he performed in plays in the Abbey, Gate and Peacock theatres. Music was performed by Rocks's family and friends, including Conor Linehan, Ellen Cranitch, Ailish Lavelle, Martin McCormack and the Monaghan Folk Group. His friend, the actor Seamus Moran, delivered a reading. Gráinne Rice, Rocks's sister, sang a version of Be Not Afraid. Outside the cathedral, as blustery weather threatened to throw people off-balance, memories of Rocks were swapped. Many recalled his sense of mischief, his charm and his tremendous facilities as an actor and broadcaster. From the pulpit, the listeners were represented too, with Canon McGinn reading out some of the many tributes and letters of sympathy written on One listener, Helen from Dooks in Co Kerry, had quoted Raymond Carver: ''And did you get what/ you wanted from this life, even so?/ I did. And what did you want?/ To call myself beloved, to feel myself/beloved on the earth.' 'The nation loved you,' she concluded.
BreakingNews.ie
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Seán Rocks: Funeral of RTÉ broadcaster to take place in his hometown Monaghan
The funeral of RTÉ broadcaster and actor Seán Rocks will take place in his hometown of Monaghan on Monday. Mr Rocks, who was the host of arts and culture programme Arena on RTÉ Radio 1, died suddenly at St Vincent's University Hospital on Wednesday following a short illness. Advertisement The 64-year-old, who lived in Dundrum in Dublin, had been on air the previous Friday. In a notice on Mr Rocks' family offered their thanks to the staff at the intensive care unit in St Vincent's for the 'excellent and devoted care' they gave him. They also expressed their appreciation for the kindness extended to them by staff onsite at a very difficult time. Mr Rocks will lie in repose at Clerkins Funeral Home Milltown, Monaghan, on Saturday and Sunday from 3pm until 6pm. The funeral procession will arrive to St Macartan's Cathedral in Monaghan on Monday for 11am mass with burial in the adjoining cemetery. The funeral service will be live streamed. Advertisement Paying tribute to Mr Rocks earlier this week, RTÉ director-general Kevin Bakhurst said his death was an 'enormous shock'. Ireland Seán Rocks, presenter of RTÉ radio's culture show... Read More He said: 'Seán said once: 'Radio is never about the presenter. It's about the person who is opposite you.' 'Loyal listeners, especially to Sean's beloved and long-running Arena on RTE 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 Sean's beloved Catherine, his children Christian and Morgan, his friends, and his colleagues at this terrible time.'
Irish Times
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Seán Rocks to be laid to rest following Mass in his native Monaghan town
Broadcaster and actor Seán Rocks will be laid to rest at a cemetery in his native Monaghan town following a requiem Mass at St Macartan's Cathedral on Monday morning. Mr Rocks, who presented the arts programme Arena on RTÉ Radio 1, died at St Vincent's University Hospital on Wednesday following a short illness. The 64-year-old, who lived in Dundrum in Dublin, had been on air the previous Friday. In a notice on his family offered their thanks to the staff at the ICU in St Vincent's for the 'excellent and devoted care' they gave Seán. They also expressed their appreciation for the kindness extended to them by staff on-site at a very difficult time. Mr Rocks will be deeply missed by his beloved Catherine, sons Christian and Morgan, his brothers and sisters Pádraig, Siobhán, Ciarán (Luisa), Gráinne (Kevin), his niece Hannah, his nephew Matthew, extended family, friends, work colleagues and his many listeners. Mr Rocks was predeceased by his parents Paddy and Philly and his brother Eamon, who died in infancy. READ MORE He will lie in repose at Clerkin's funeral home, Milltown, Monaghan, on Saturday and Sunday from 3pm until 6pm. The funeral procession will arrive to St Macartan's Cathedral on Monday for 11am Mass with burial following in the adjoining cemetery. The Mass will be live streamed.
