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The arts community has been shocked and saddened by the death of RTÉ Radio 1 presenter and former actor, Seán Rocks, aged 64. Seán was a widely admired champion of the arts, primarily through his stylish and authoritative helming of Arena, RTÉ Radio’s flagship culture magazine show. The show ran five nights a week and covered the entire spectrum of the arts from literature to theatre, music and film, sculpture and painting. Each show featured multiple segments which generated an intense workload for the presenter who miraculously, managed to stay on top of his brief and make it always seem effortless.
Seán Rocks grasped the one essential truth for a host and interviewer which is to recognise the primacy of the interviewee, or, as he himself said “it’s never about the presenter. It’s about the person who is opposite you.” Sebastian Barry said that it was as if "he was down in the trenches with you, the feeling of comradeship." This empathy made him a popular choice for public interviews with distinguished authors such as Salman Rushdie, Edna O'Brien, Roddy Doyle, and John Banville. Head of RTÉ Radio 1, Tara Campbell, identified Sean’s special qualities when she noted that "He was able to use humour to let the audience in, let the guests in, let people feel relaxed. He knew so much, but he carried it so lightly."
A former school-teacher who later drifted into acting, Seán went on to have a busy career as a professional actor for many years and appeared on stage at The Abbey, Peacock and Gate theatres, as well as in several TV and film projects, including The Bill, Glenroe, Fair City, Dear Sarah and Go Now.
Seán was a regular attendee at the An Post Irish Book Awards Gala Dinner and his absence in November will be keenly felt by all who knew him and worked with him.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam