Seán Rocks RIP

magicbastarder

https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/2025/07/31/sean-rocks-presenter-of-rte-radios-culture-show-arena-dies-suddenly-at-the-age-of-63/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=bluesky

that's no age; RIP

magicbastarder

https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2025/0731/1526247-sean-rocks/

RTE link

KaneToad

Loved listening to him on the radio. A sad day for his family & friends.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam

legrand

Arena and Sean has been a staple in our lives for so many years. What a loss. RIP

steve_r

That's really sad. He was a great champion of the arts and he had such great enthusiasm and passion for it.

He seemed like such a nice and decent guy as well.

The Black Oil

Such a shame. I really enjoyed Arena. 63 is no age. RIP.

hollowlands

Arena was the only radio show left I'd go out of my way to listen to, it'll never be the same now.

Rest in Peace Seán

plodder

Very said. I know it says after a short illness, but I did wonder if he had health issues when he was off the air for an extended period a while back. RIP

Ceist_Beag

Terribly sad news. I really enjoyed listening to Seán over the years. His knowledge of the industry, enthusiasm for the arts and just genuine interest in everyone he interviewed was lovely and he came across as a really nice fella.

RIP Seán agus comhbroin le do theaghlach.

lee_baby_simms

Met him once. Absolute gent. RIP.

rolling boh

Shocked to hear the news this morning,enjoyed listening to him as he seemed so comfortable talking about a wide range of the arts .May he rest in peace .

Luckycharms_74

Wow thats a big shock. I really enjoyed his Arena show.

Last Friday 25th was his last presented show so it must have been a sudden illness.

May he RIP

ford fiesta

Rest In Peace Sean Rocks.

I was only listening yesterday to Rick O'Shea filling in for Sean on Arena and I thought with Kay Sheehy recently retired that Rick is the only fill in presenter on the show.

Hopefully the show will continue, as an arts show has been a mainstay on Radio 1 previously presented by Myles Dungan, Mike Murphy etc.

The RTE article on Sean's passing did not mention that Sean made a return to Lyric FM on Sunday afternoons 3 years ago, for around 2 years.

dmcdona

I'm not an arty person by any stretch but Arena and Seán Rocks (what a name!) is a wonderful, interesting and engaging program. Seán made the arts very accessible to me and that was some feat. I actually can't believe how shocked I am at his passing. May he rest in peace.

Larbre34

A very enjoyable broadcaster to listen to.

He also MC'd a concert for culture night I was at some years ago, in Collins Barracks, a great raconteur and charismatic presence he was.

He is a huge loss to the Arts and broadcasting, condolences to his family and colleagues.

FrancieBrady

Knew Sean for nigh on 40 years. His extraordinary long running performance as Frank (played maybe 30 different characters) in the theatrical version of The Butcher Boy - Frank Pig Says Hello is still a vivid vivid memory. Then his career as a broadcaster. I genuinely loved when he had a creative to interview, or had a performance, book etc to review and pick apart. A huge and wide knowledge of the arts and what motivated those who made it. Not often I say it, but he will be a huge loss to RTE.

Always on top of his brief and just a nice humble man to boot.
In shock here today. RIP Seán.

squonk

I often caught bits of Arena while travelling. I wouldn’t be by into the arts as such in a big way but Seán made it seem very accessible to the average listener. He cane to my attention early on in his radio career because of the name. What a name for radio. RIP Sean

Hippodrome Song Owl

Absolutely shocked to hear this this morning. Arena is such a great programme, so eclectic in what it covers. Sean Rocks was the perfect presenter, easily switching between segments on the latest blockbuster review to interviews with poets and classical performers. He ensured the subject matter was accessible to the general audience, and I have learned so much by listening. He is a massive loss and I will truly miss his voice in the evenings. RIP

Arghus

Shocking news.

RIP.

elperello

Sincere condolences to family and friends.

Rest in Peace

its_steve116

Sad news.

sporina

so so sad.. gosh I will miss him RIP

CarPark2

What a loss. I loved Arena. As others have said, the only show that i would sure in advance that i would enjoy - regardless of the topic. Sean was such a natural interviewer, so interested in his guests. In a way, you barely noticed that he was there as an interviewer, because he did it so well.

RIP

yiddo59

Very sad news. Condolences to family and friends.

R.I.P.

FrancieBrady

Arena, as a tribute, are broadcasting Seán's great interview with Claire Keegan (Small Things Like These and Foster-An Caílin Cuain) in tonight's slot.

RoTelly

One of the stronger shows on RTÉ, that gives them some kudos. I find that much of evening time Radio 1 is under appreciated by RTÉ.

His co-host Kay Sheehy retired only a few weeks ago, both will be missed, and both had strong quality voices for Radio. Both seemed relaxed and interested in the subjects for the show.

RIP Séan Rocks.

magicbastarder

https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/tv-radio/2025/08/04/the-nation-loved-you-mourners-gather-for-funeral-of-sean-rocks-in-monaghan/

..

..

Radio5

Shocked to hear of his death. Many books were bought and shows attended (or avoided) after hearing a discussion on Arena. Sympathy to family and friends.

sporina

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123686219#Comment_123686219

a great observation - true

ford fiesta

The duo of Sean Rocks and Kay Sheehy on Arena (I'm aware there were others on the team) were a reminder of old school public service radio that is slowly dying in RTE. With the new head of radio in place from Newstalk, and changes expected - the Radio 1 we once knew will be no more.

In my opinion 'Arena' should have been on earlier in the day on Radio 1, after Liveline like The Arts show used to be with Mike Murphy in the 1990s. A compilation programme with the best bits from the show should have been produced for broadcast at the weekends on Radio 1.

Also the show should have been repeated daily on RTE Lyric FM, such as after Marty's breakfast show.

I don't think RTE promoted it as much as they should have. I rarely, if ever heard a promo for it on Radio 1.