EXHIBIT 23

                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the  incorporation  by  reference  in the  following  Registration
Statements:  (i) Form S-8 (No.  333-40151)  pertaining to the Fourth Amended and
Restated 1989 Stock Option Plan of Silgan Holdings Inc. and (ii)  Post-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration  Statement (Form S-4 No.  333-30881) on Form
S-3 and related Prospectus  pertaining to the 9% Senior Subordinated  Debentures
due 2009 of Silgan  Holdings Inc., of our report dated January 30, 2001,  except
for the  last  paragraph  of Note 3, the 3rd  paragraph  of Note 8, and the last
paragraph of the "Interest Rate Swap Agreements" section in Note 10, as to which
the  date  is  March  26,  2001,  with  respect  to the  consolidated  financial
statements and schedules of Silgan Holdings Inc.  included in this Annual Report
(Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2000.


                                                     /S/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP


Stamford, Connecticut
March 26, 2001