Fundraiser launched to honour Seán Rocks and St. Francis Hospice after benefit performance of The Weir sells out "in record time"

A fundraiser to honour late broadcaster Seán Rocks and Dublin's St. Francis Hospice has been launched after the upcoming benefit performance of The Weir sold out "in record time."

All proceeds from the special performance of Conor McPherson's play will be shared between the hospice and the family of Rocks, who died last month aged 63 following a brief illness.

For those who did not get tickets or who wish to pledge additional support, producers launched a fundraiser via iDonate.

"We are overwhelmed with the support and generous response received for this very special benefit performance and extend our thanks to everyone who has booked," said Landmark Productions on Instagram today.

In addition to his radio work – including presenting RTÉ's flagship arts and culture programme, Arena, from its inception in 2009 – Rocks was an actor and a known lover of theatre.

The play stars Brendan Gleeson (The Banshees of Inisherin). Gleeson is a noted supporter of St. Francis Hospice, where his own parents were cared for.

The sold out benefit performance will take place at Dublin's 3Olympia Theatre on September 3. The entire run of The Weir at the 3Olympia Theatre (August 8 to September 6) is also fully sold out, with no further performances to be added.

The Weir marks Gleeson's long-awaited return to the Irish stage, ahead of his West End debut with the same production, running September 12 to December 6 in London.

"I can hardly believe it’s thirty years since I wrote The Weir and about thirty years since I first met the wonderful Brendan Gleeson," said McPherson when the production was first announced.

"It’s an absolute honour to bring this play to life again with one of the great titans of Irish acting."

The play also stars Owen McDonnell (Killing Eve), Seán McGinley (Braveheart), Kate Phillips (Peaky Blinders) and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor (Love/Hate).