HexChat

HexChat is a graphical IRC client based on XChat.

Install
Emerge hexchat:

Configuration
HexChat stores configuration files in. Settings can be modified graphically via the Settings tab or using the command

/set

SSL
In HexChat, enable SSL connections in Network List  > Freenode > Edit.

Auto-reconnect
In order to automatically reconnect after sleep/hibernate mode, enter the command

/set net_ping_timeout 31

External resources

 * HexChat User Documentation