A man who fell ill on board a cruise ship bound for Cork has been taken to Cork University Hospital in a serious condition.

The MS Marina was en route to Ireland from Canada when the 79 year old man suffered a suspected stroke on Thursday night.

Two coastguard rescue helicopters were dispatched to rescue the man but a decision was taken to keep him on-board until the vessel docked in Cobh.

The ship arrived to port this morning where emergency services were waiting to transport the man.