IRC setup does not appear to be working

The #rubyonrails irc at irc.freenode.net requires registered
nicknames. While I can get nickserv to admit I am me, the irc chat
does not appear to be convinced. I am using colloquy to login to the
chat and it complains each time that #rubyonrails requires
registration, even though I have the nick and password entered in the
server config. It also indicates the nick belongs to someone else,
even though I just registered it today. I do /msg nickserv identity
and it acknowledges me. But, my messages go out to apparently
nowhere.

Troubleshooting tips appreciated.

Michael