[ubuntu-uk] IRC - does not connect

[Mac]

Mac wrote:
> I thought I'd have a go with IRC.  I've set up an account in 
> Xchat-gnome, but it does not make the connection.  All I get is
> 
>   Looking up irc.ubuntu.com..
>   Connecting to chat.freenode.net (209.177.146.34) port 6667..
> 
> and then it just hangs.  I get the same thing with other channels;  and 
> the same thing happens if I try using Pidgin.
> 


Sorry for double post, but it may help to know that I can do

  ping chat.freenode.net
PING chat.freenode.net (154.35.200.44) 56(84) bytes of data.
64 bytes from card.freenode.net (154.35.200.44): icmp_seq=1 ttl=51 
time=112 ms
64 bytes from card.freenode.net (154.35.200.44): icmp_seq=2 ttl=51 
time=111 ms
64 bytes from card.freenode.net (154.35.200.44): icmp_seq=3 ttl=51 
time=113 ms

Mac