When using X-Chat Aqua on OSX Lion it is possible to get various different errors when making SSL connections to different IRC networks. In this example I was attempting to make a SSL connection to the Freenode IRC network on port 6697. The connection terminated with a SSL error complaining that X-Chat Aqua could not get the local issuer certificate as shown in more detail below.
X-Chat Aqua SSL Connection To Freenode IRC Network Error:
Error Text: Connection failed. Error: unable to get local issuer certificate.? (20)
Resolving this error message is easy by enabling the SSL connection to Freenode to allow invalid SSL certificates which can be done in the Freenode server Connection Options. First open the IRC network Server List by opening X-Chat Aqua, clicking on File in the top navigation bar, and then selecting Server List from the drop down. Once the server list displays scroll down and highlight Freenode, click the Show Details button, and then click the Connection Options tab as shown in the below example image.
X-Chat Server List Connection Options Configuration Window:
Now put a check next to Allow Invalid SSL Certificates as shown in the below example image.
X-Chat Server Connection Options: Allow Invalid SSL Certificates:
Now close X-Chat so the application restarts. You should now be able to make an SSL connection to the Freenode IRC network.