Exhibit 23.1

                CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

   We consent to the reference to our firm under the captions "Selected
Historical Financial Data" and "Experts" in the Registration Statement (Form
S-4) and related Prospectus of SmartForce Public Limited Company for the
registration of 10,827,574 ordinary shares, and to the incorporation by
reference therein of our report dated January 16, 2002 with respect to the
consolidated financial statements included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K),
for the year ended December 31, 2001 filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

Ernst & Young

/s/  ERNST & YOUNG

Dublin, Ireland
March 22, 2002