EXHIBIT 23.1





                         Consent of Independent Auditors


We consent to the references to our firm under the captions "Selected Historical
and Pro Forma Financial Information" and "Experts" and to the use of our reports
dated March 8, 1996 with respect to the  consolidated  financial  statements  of
Silgan Holdings Inc. included in the Registration  Statement (Amendment No. 1 to
Form S-4, No.  333-9979) and related  Prospectus of Silgan Holdings Inc. for the
registration  of 90,000 shares of its  exchangeable  preferred  stock and to the
incorporation  by  reference  therein of our  reports  dated  March 8, 1996 with
respect  to the  consolidated  financial  statements  and  schedules  of  Silgan
Holdings  Inc.  included  in its Annual  Report  (Form  10-K) for the year ended
December 31, 1995, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



                                       /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP



Stamford, Connecticut
September 6, 1996