After watching the new episode, It was nice. However, I would like to suggest that you ditch the whole IR remote thing. It is not worth the time.
Instead, grab your smart phone and install Yatse It turns your smart phone into a network remote for XBMC/Kodi. Even includes a virtual keyboard. That way everyones phone can be a remote to the system.
I have 4 OpenELEC systems running on R-Pi's and everyone here has the app. Makes life so much easier.