“Riverdance” has thrilled American audiences for the past 14 seasons with precision dance steps executed to pulsating Irish and world music. It began in Dublin as a brief act at the Eurovision Song Contest of 1994, to represent the life cycle of a river from cloud to renewal of the land in its rush toward the sea. Transfixed audiences cheered it into a sensation worldwide. But time hurries by, and the performances at Wolf Trap this week mark the end of the North American touring company.

Fiddler Niamh Ni Charra (Neeve Knee Cara) was invited to return for this season’s closing concerts. She toured for eight years with the ensemble before leaving to pursue her own career.