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. 2 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
$90,000,000 of  subordinated  debentures due 2006, 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
October 28, 1996