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 Silgan Holdings Inc. 2002
Non-Employee  Directors Stock Option Plan and to the  incorporation by reference
therein of our report dated  January 28,  2003,  except for the second and third
paragraphs  of Note 20,  as to which  the date is March 3,  2003 and the  fourth
paragraph  of Note 20, as to which the date is March 28,  2003,  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, 2002,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                               /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Stamford, Connecticut
June 17, 2003