Exhibit 23.1



                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS



We  consent to the  reference  to our firm under the  caption  "Experts"  in the
Registration  Statement (Form S-8) pertaining to the Fourth Amended and Restated
1989 Stock  Option Plan of Silgan  Holdings  Inc.  and to the  incorporation  by
reference therein of our report dated January 31, 1997 except for Note 22, as to
which the date is February 13, 1997, 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, 1996,  filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.



                                        /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
                                        ---------------------
Stamford, Connecticut
November 10, 1997