https://lemmy.dbzer0.com/post/1239735 - my previous IRC write-up from 3 months ago.
Been using AdiIRC for about a week now and everything works as good or better than mIRC.
I do recommend a different color scheme thou. https://dev.adiirc.com/projects/adiirc/boards/6
Hexchat requires a plugin to enable SSL and Quassel requires you to install certificates. AdiRC just works right out of the box. Hexchat and Quassle did get some discussion in the last big thread.
I’d curious to see your setup for pirating on Hexchat thou. Nothing wrong with more options.