Seán Rocks: Funeral of RTÉ broadcaster to take place in his hometown Monaghan

Olivia Kelleher

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.

The 64-year-old, who lived in Dundrum in Dublin, had been on air the previous Friday.

In a notice on Rip.ie, 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.

Paying tribute to Mr Rocks earlier this week, RTÉ director-general Kevin Bakhurst said his death was an “enormous shock”.

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.”