Founded in 2000, EML is owner of Pigsback.com, with more than one million active members in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland across its brands, which also include other offers sites including: TheDiningRoom.ie, LuxuryBreaks.ie, Pamper.ie, JustGolf.ie and TreatTicket.ie in Northern Ireland.

The acquisition follows Secret Escapes’ expansion across Europe with the acquisition of Travelist in 2014 and Slevomat in 2017.

Secret Escapes Group also recently acquired the activity and assets of TravelBird, the Dutch online travel deals company.

Pigsback.com and the other EML websites will continue to be managed by Michael Dwyer, EML’s executive chairman, and John McDonald, chief operating officer, along with the full existing management team.

Alex Saint, co-founder and chief executive of Secret Escapes Group, said: “We have long been impressed by the quality of this brand and the strength of its position in the highly attractive Irish market.

“Pigsback.com and EML’s other brands are highly complementary to our existing businesses and we see the potential for their continued growth as part of the group, as we continue to strengthen and expand our international presence.”