There is absolutely a space for a new IRC. In today's world only a select few users can about /msg chanserve or worry about nickserv working, but they want exactly what IRC provides. I've even thought about making a mobile-first, IRC-like system for my friends and I to do group chats and coordination with.
>/join #hackernews
... 10 people in the room.<p>Yeah it's slowly dying.<p>But then again: <a href="http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/01/antarctic-irc-how-nasas-flying-lab-stays-connected/" rel="nofollow">http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/01/antarc...</a>
I think IRC is the BEST and unique mediums to build a good circle of 'reliable' contacts. This makes immense sense if you are talking about technology.<p>Not only do you end up networking with some of the brightest minds, but also get your queries resolved in 'near real time'.<p>IRC would never be dead. It is immortal. Maker has to wait..alas!
IRC is still alive and kicking. I have been using it for around 10 years. I still use it everyday, along with a handful of my "real life" friends. I feel IRC has always been a slightly more "underground/nerdy" technology and will always remain under the surface of other mainstream user technologies such as FB and Twitter.
The IRC channels I go to (primarily non-technical outside of freenode and 2600net) have between fifty and 100 people in them on a daily basis. IRC is not dead. Certain networks, due to DDoS attacks or policy changes against file sharing, or incompetent operators are dying.