Presenters

Jim Smyth
Jim Smyth was born in Newry, Co. Down, in 1961, a Virgo. Number Three in a family of seven children, Jim went to Queen's University, Belfast where he studied for a degree in French and Spanish. After graduating, Jim spent a couple of years living and teaching in Brittany, France, then in 1985 returned to Belfast to complete a Post Graduate Certificate in Education. He spent a further 2 years in France, where he taught English, studied at Rennes University, co-founded a Theatre Group 'Artmélo Armélois', played soccer for St. Armel, perfected his French, and delivered bread for the local bakery. In 1988, Jim headed for London, where he became Head of French in a girl¹s preparatory school.

In July 1995, Jim moved back to Ireland planning to continue his teaching career, but was approached by Dreamchaser Productions and asked to present an innovative 'food & drink' programme - 'The Dog's Dinner' (Network 2, Feb. - Apr. 1996).

And so began Jim's career in television. He went on to present 'PaddynetSongs from a Digital Island' on 17th March 1996. In May of that year, NBC's 'Good Morning, America'. He was the reporter for the 'Gay Byrne Survival Challenge' (RTÉ Radio 1). He made some good friends, lost a stone and learned to live off the land. He was put to the test as a team captain in TnaG's, quiz programme, 'Charts i gCeart', (November 1996 - May 1997).

Other work included 'Home Truths' series, presenting 'Lip Service to the World', 'Jim Smyth's Consumer Guide' (RTÉ 1), reports for 'The Breakfast Show', (98FM) presenting for 'The Pet Set', (BBC Northern Ireland), '@ Last T.V.'(Network 2), 'Antiques Watch' (RTÉ 1) and "Desperately Seeking Surgery" (RTÉ 1).

Jim presented "House Hunters" on RTÉ 1 from 2001until 2005, as well as a shoot-off series, "House Hunters Revisited". He continues to front "House Hunters in the Sun" for RTÉ which will air its 4th series in January 2006.

Jim loves karaoke, Man Utd., golf (18 handicap), basketball (even though he's 5'7"!), singing (he performed a duet with Kieran Goss on RTÉ 1's 'Limelight'), and languages (he speaks French, Spanish, Italian and Irish). He is a full-time teacher of French and Spanish in St. Conleth's College, Ballsbridge, Dublin.

Jim Smyth lives happily in Raheny with his wife Miriam and their two kids Maddie (4) and Eva (1).

Liz O'Kane
Liz is from Drogheda, Co Louth. She bought her first property at the age of 20 in the UK (with a 100% mortgage!) and she then became obsessed with the property ladder. More property purchases followed and sourcing properties for friends was her hobby long before it became her business. Her father always said she should have been an auctioneer and her working life is testament to this.

Liz established www.get-sorted.ie in 2003 an accomplished property and home finding business based in Dublin. It was this expertise that landed her the role of presenting on both RTE’s series of House Hunters in the Sun and House Hunters. Liz is also the chosen property expert for The Afternoon Show, Ireland’s premier day time programme where she scours the country looking for property gems and bargains around Ireland. Until recently Liz has been writing a property column for the Evening Herald newspaper, Ireland’s only evening news paper, she also submits to other publications including the RTE House Hunters in the Sun magazine.

Liz is married to Rory an architect, hence the obsession with houses and buildings! They have two children, Rossa aged 7 and Ellie aged 5.