make a small linux vm with ubuntu, im using virtualbox.
apt-get install ssh fail2ban irssi irssi-scripts screen
forward a port a random port to 22 on your VM, connect with ssh, make sure you gotta a strong password
$screen
$irssi
/connect irc.gamesurge.net
/nick lt_clash
/join #darkly
u can exit ssh session/putty whenever
when you want to come back to chat
$screen -dr
IRC is always there waiting how you left it. feels good man.
.............