FARN-ISLANDS, a cluster of small islands in the parish of HOLY-ISLAND, in ISLANDSHIRE, county palatine of DURHAM, seventeen in number, extending about 7 miles (S. E.) from Holy Island. The largest of them, called House Island, which lies nearly two miles to the eastward of Bambrough castle, is remarkable as the spot where St. Cuthbert passed a few of the latter years of his life, and whereon a priory subordinate to Durham was subsequently founded for Benedictine monks, whose revenue at the dissolution was £12.17. 8. Ethelwold, St. Bartholomew, and Thomas, prior of Durham, among other celebrated devotees, since the time of St. Cuthbert, sequestered themselves in this place. A square tower, the ruins of a church, and other buildings, are still remaining, also a stone coffin, in which it is said the body of St. Cuthbert was first laid. At the northern end is a deep chasm, through which in stormy weather the sea forces its way with such violence as to form a fine jet deau sixty feet high, called the Churn. A light-house has been erected on House island, and another upon Staples island, three miles to the eastward, the passage between which is open to large ships, and is termed Scar road from the Oxscar rocks lying about mid-channel. There are from five to eight fathoms of water both in this road and in Budle bay. These islands produce kelp, and there are a few seals.