I have just completed the setup of a kick-ass web based IRC client. After playing with 6 or so Java IRC clients I decided to take another path and I came across CGI:IRC. It is a very nice Perl-based IRC client, in my opinion it blows and java client out of the water.
Now you can't have an excuse for not coming on irc :P
Here is the link:
http://www.techwarelabs.com/irc/
And for those who want to connect to other IRC networks, try
http://www.ircatwork.com/
If you have any questions or comments feel free to contact me here.
Cheers...